Community Chat

[gloriajean]

We are not always what we ought to be or want to be, but through God's love
we are not what we would be without Him. Lord, thank you for raising me to
heights in this world that alone I could not reach and for giving me eternal
life in
the next.

Scripture for the day:

"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its
own. Today's trouble is enough for today." ~Matthew 6:34

Meditation for the day:

Its best for us not to think of the Red Sea of difficulties that lies
ahead. We can be sure that when we come to that Red Sea, the waters will
part and we will be given all the power we need to face and overcome
many difficulties and meet what is in store for us with courage. We can
believe that we will pass through that Red Sea to the promised land, the
land of the spirit where many souls meet in perfect comradeship. We can
believe that when that time comes, we will be freed of influence of
material things and find peace.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may face the future with courage. I pray that I may be
given strength to face both life and death fearlessly.

Greetings my friends! How was your day? Hope everything was positive and
peaceful as mine was. Got an email from Sister LaDonna - she said our
sister, Erma, who has Parkinson's fell, and she's sore now. The Parkinson's
doesn't hurt her, but the falls do. The poor dear! It was Erma's turn to
call her yesterday and that's what she told her. I made a real good chicken
vegetable soup tonight - and I put in a cup of quinoa. Makes for some good,
healthy and tasty soup. Lori stopped in, she had some, and liked it! I
have enough for you for lunch whoever can come on over!! I usually make a
big batch, then I can freeze some. I am already excited and looking forward
to Darla coming home on the 15th or 16th. She wants her uncles and aunts
here so she can see them all on her Dad's side, so they all plan to be here
on the 16th. Praying for good roads for her to travel in - another 16 hour
drive! I sure do hope she gets accepted at St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.
God's will be done, but that is our wish, hers too.

Homily of the Day


November 28, 2011


No Strangers, Only Brothers and Sisters
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Is 2:1-5 / Mt 8:5-11

With each passing year, we find ourselves confronted with abundant new
evidence of our human inclination to fragment into in-groups and out-groups.
Whether on the international scale or in our own neighborhoods, schools, and
parishes, we see it happening over and over, one group declaring another to
be outsiders, strangers, inferiors, not one of us. The division is always
arbitrary and usually quite superficial in origin, but that doesn’t lessen
the intensity with which it is felt and enforced, sometimes even with
threats of death.

Nothing could be further from the big family, the communion, which our
hearts yearn for. Isaiah tells us in today’s Old Testament reading that God
has a very different vision of our future. “The mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain and … all nations shall stream
toward it.” In God’s vision, there is no they, only we, no strangers, only
brothers and sisters.

So how are we doing at making God’s plan come true? Are we leaving anyone or
any group outside the circle of our love and concern? Isn’t it time to bring
everyone inside?



God Fills Our Hearts

Riches, both material and spiritual,
can choke you if you do not use them fairly.
Let us remain as empty as possible
so that God can fill us up.
For not even God can put anything
in a heart that is already full.
God does not impose himself on us.

from Heart of Joy: The Transforming Power of Self-Giving

THE FOUR BLESSED LOOKS

Look back and thank God.
Look forward and trust God.
Look around and serve God.
Look within and find God!

I asked God, ' How do I get the best out of life? ' God said,

"Face your past without regrets. Handle your present with confidence.
And prepare for the future without fear!"

Without God, our week is:
Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, Shatterday & Sinday.

So, allow Him to be with you everyday!

Life is short! So forgive quickly.
Believe slowly.
Love truly.
Laugh uncontrollably.
And have a wonderful journey!

A - Z

Remember to take your vitamins every day!


Anxious? Take Vitamin A.
"All things work together for good for those
who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)



Blue? Take Vitamin B
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is
within me, bless his holy name." (Psalm 103:1)



Crushed? Take Vitamin C
"Cast all your anxiety on him, because he
cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)



Depressed? Take Vitamin D
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8)



Empty? Take Vitamin E
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his
courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name." (Psalm 100:4)



Fearful? Take Vitamin F
"Fear not, for I am with you, do not be
afraid, for I am your God." (Isaiah 41:10)



Greedy? Take Vitamin G
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good
measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put unto
your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." (Luke
6:38)



Hesitant? Take Vitamin H
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the
feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who
announces salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" (Isaiah 52:7)



Insecure? Take Vitamin I
"I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)



Jittery? Take Vitamin J
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today
and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)



Know nothing? Take Vitamin K
"Know this that the Lord is God, it is
He that made us and not we ourselves. (Psalm 100:3)



Lonely? Take Vitamin L
"Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of
the age." (Matthew 28:20)



Mortgaged? Take Vitamin M
"My grace is sufficient for you, for power
is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)



Nervous? Take Vitamin N
"Never, no never will I leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)



Overwhelmed? Take Vitamin O
"Overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)



Perplexed or puzzled? Take Vitamin P
"Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not
let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." (John 14:27)



Quitting? Take Vitamin Q
"Quit you like men and women, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13)



Restless? Take Vitamin R
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him." (Psalm 37:7)



Scared? Take Vitamin S
"Stay with me, and do not be afraid; for the
one who seeks my life seeks your life; you will be safe with me." (1 Samuel
22:23)



Tired? Take Vitamin T
"Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their
strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and
not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)



Uncertain? Take Vitamin U
"Understand that I am (the Lord). Before
me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me." (Isaiah 43:10)



Vain? Take Vitamin V
"Vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. (Acts 5:16)



Wondering what to do? Take Vitamin W
"What does the Lord require of you but
to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
(Micah 6:8)



eXhausted? Take Vitamin X
"Exercise thyself rather unto godliness." (1 Timothy 4:7)



Yearning for hope? Take Vitamin Y
"Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you art with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)



Zapped? Take Vitamin Z
"Zealous for good deeds." (Titus 2:14)



GOD BLESS YOU

God used an important divine inspiration to prove to us that our Holy
Scriptures contains truth... God used prophecy; this is the ability predict
the future. Nobody else can do this, because only God is the creator of
time and only God is above time to know what will happen in the future.

The Old Testament was written hundreds, even thousands, of years before the
time of Jesus.

Arguably, the most important prophecy given to us was the prediction that
Jesus will come to earth to save us. There are hundreds of biblical
predictions concerning the birth, life, and death of Jesus in the Old
Testament and which have been realised and confirmed in the New Testament.
Below are just a few of them which you may find familiar...

In the Old Testament, we read about
a virgin who will become pregnant and it will be a sign that God is with us.
(Isaiah 7:14)
In the New Testament, we are told that
the Virgin Mary, will give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High God.
(Luke 1:31-32)

In the Old Testament, we read about
a star that will annouce the birth of a king. (Numbers 24:17)
In the New Testament, we are told that
wise men followed the star that led them to baby Jesus. (Matthew 2:2)

In the Old Testament, we read about
a ruler that will be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. (Luke 2:4-6)

In the Old Testament, we read about
a King who will be known as the Son of God. (Psalms 2:7)
In the New Testament, we are told that
heaven announces Jesus as the Son of God. (Matthew 3:17)

In the Old Testament, we read about
one being betrayed by a close friend for 30 silver coins. (Psalms 41:9 and
Zechariah 11:9,12)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus was betrayed by one of His apostles, Judas, for 30 silver coins.
(Matthew 26:14-15 and Matthew 27:4)

In the Old Testament, we read about
a servant who is treated harshly and yet remaining silent. (Isaiah 53:7)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus kept quiet during harsh accusations. (Matthew 26:63)

In the Old Testament, we read about
one being rejected by one's own people. (Isaiah 53:3)
In the New Testament, we are told that
the crowds chanted for the death of Jesus. (Luke 23:18)

In the Old Testament, we read about
the cry and anguish of a man and the pains of his hands and feet. (Psalms
22:16)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus had his hands pierced by nails. (John 20:25)

In the Old Testament, we read about
a man calling out for God and being humiliated by other people who shook
their heads at him. (Psalms 22:7)
In the New Testament, we are told that
people hurled insults, shook their heads at Jesus, and humiliated him.
(Matthew 27:39 and Luke 23:35)

In the Old Testament, we read about
God's servant who is numbered amongst the criminals. (Isaiah 53:12)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus was crucified with bandits. (Mark 15:27)

In the Old Testament, we read about
God's servant who is being harshly treated and yet still praying that they
might be forgiven. (Isaiah 53:12)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus prays for forgiveness to those who are killing Him. (Luke 23:34)

In the Old Testament, we read about
a victim whose clothes were gambled for and divided up amongst evil men.
(Psalms 22:18)
In the New Testament, we are told that
the soldiers who killed Jesus threw dice and gambled for Jesus' clothes.
(Luke 23:34)

In the Old Testament, we read about
a suffering man who is felt forsaken by his father. (Psalms 22:1)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus felt abandoned by God. (Matthew 27:46)

In the Old Testament, we read about
the good man whom the Lord preserves completely and none of his bones will
be broken. (Psalms 34:20)
In the New Testament, we are told that
the soldiers did not break the legs of Jesus, as they did to the others who
were crucified. (John 19:33)

In the Old Testament, we read about
the one who was stabbed to death and they mourn for him like those who mourn
for an only child. (Zechariah 12:10)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus, the only Son of God, had his side pierced by a soldier's spear. (1
John 4:9 and John 19:34)

In the Old Testament, we read about
a devoted servant who would bear the punishment of many. (Isaiah 53:11)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus died for our sins. (1 Corinthians 15:3)

In the Old Testament, we read about
an innocent man who was buried with the rich. (Isaiah 53:9)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus was taken by a rich man to be buried in the rich man's tomb. (Matthew
27:59-60)

In the Old Testament, we read about
a wise man who is saved from the power of death. (Psalms 49:15)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus rises from the dead. (Luke 24:34)

Prophecy is God's signature on the scriptures. So christians can rejoice,
because God came to earth to save us. And we knew He would... We knew a
thousand years before it happened.

No other book in the history of the world can approach the impact of the
Bible. It has transformed countless lives. It has inspired great works of
art, music and literature. The very wealthy have drawn success secrets from
its pages; the most poor have found comfort and challenge in its words. And
it is the basis for much of "civil" society in many parts of the globe.

If you can look at the sunset and smile, then you still have hope.


If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower, then you still have
hope.


If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have
hope.


If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope.


If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope.


If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep, then you
still have hope.


If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you
still have hope.


If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips,
then you still have hope.


If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, then you
still have hope.


If you give people the benefit of a doubt, then you still have hope.


If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your
life, then you still have hope.


If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise,
then you still have hope.


If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration, then
you still have hope.


If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you
still have hope.


If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and reflection, then you
still have hope.


If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree or cook the
turkey, then you still have hope.


If you still watch love stories or want the endings to be happy, then you
still have hope.


If you can look to the past and smile, then you still have hope.


If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still
look up and end the conversation with the phrase...."yeah....BUT.." then you
still have hope.


Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but
rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can. It gives us
reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd
rather give in.


Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage.


Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it.


Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction.


Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and
something that will refresh us in return. And it can be found in each of us,
and it can bring light into the darkest of places.


NEVER LOSE HOPE!


Author Unknown

Advent Liturgical Prayer

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of
Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord
who enlists me in God's own work for justice.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the
world, peace in my home, peace in myself.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's
joy. I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is
right to bring to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too, sober reverence
for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and
spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.

Good night everyone - God bless you and may you have sweet dreams and a good
day tomorrow! "Be Still and Know that I am God".