Community Chat

[gloriajean]

In your search for peace, look within. If you are looking elsewhere,
you are looking in the wrong place. Lord, help me to open my heart
to Your gift of peace and refuse to let anything in that disturbs it.


Scripture for the day:

"Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all
these things will be given to you as well." ~Matthew 6:33

Meditation for the day:

"Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all
these things will be given to you as well." We need not seek material
things first, but seek spiritual things first and material things will
come to us, as we honestly work for them. Many of us seek material
things first and think they can then grow into knowledge of spiritual
things. We cannot serve God and earthly things at the same time. The
first requisites of an abundant life are spiritual things: honesty,
purity, unselfishness and love. Until we have these qualities,
quantities of material things are of little real use to us.


Prayer for the day:


I pray that I may put much effort into acquiring spiritual things. I
pray that I may get right spiritually and enjoy the many gifts around
me.

Hello my friends! How was your day? I got a call first thing this morning
from a first cousin, that her sister's husband passed away this morning from
cancer. Karen was my maid of honor and she married a year later than me.
Please pray for Karen and her family - and for the repose of Ray's soul. I
called all my sisters to notify them. They won't be able to come to the
funeral but they'll send a card to Karen. We'll be going to the funeral as
it's in our town here. I also notified Fr. Jerry, another cousin. Today
I'm still not perfect yet, very tired from last night's ordeal, but I am on
the mend but will take tomorrow off working at Lori's to rest more. I sure
could sleep today! I'm grateful I didn't get worse - like some flu's are.
Praise God for that! Praying no one else gets sick!

Christmas Carol Has Special Meaning
One English Christmas carol well-known worldwide today is, however, more
than a repetitious tune with pretty phrases and strange gifts. "The Twelve
Days of Christmas" is a song with different levels of meaning.

From 1558 to 1829, the Catholics in England were not permitted to practice
their faith openly. During this period, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was
written in England as a catechism song for young Catholics. The hidden
meanings of the song's gifts were intended to help the children remember
lessons of their faith. Instead of referring to an earthly suitor, the "true
love" mentioned in the song refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the
presents is symbolic of every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree
is Jesus Christ. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother
partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless
nestlings. The meaning of the other symbols are:

Two turtle doves - the Old and New Testaments;

Three French hens - Faith, Hope and Charity;

Four calling birds - the four Gospels;

Five golden rings - the first five books of the Old Testament, which give
the history of man's fall from grace;

Six geese a-laying - the six days of creation;

Seven swans a-swimming - seven gifts of the Holy Spirit;

Eight maids a-milking - the eight Beatitudes;

Nine ladies dancing - nine fruits of the Holy Spirit;

Ten lords a-leaping - the Ten Commandments;

Eleven pipers piping - the eleven faithful disciples;

Twelve drummers drumming - the twelve points of belief in the Apostles'
Creed (cf. Newsletter of the Catholic Medical Mission Board, December 1988).

Christmas in prison..


Sister Maurella Schlise, a Catholic nun from Fargo, South Dakota, was
spending
the holidays with her family in Florida, and planning a visit to a nearby
maximum
security prison on Christmas Eve. "My sister Rosemary and her husband
conduct
a weekly prayer meeting there, and they invited me along," Sister says.
Although
visitors are not allowed to bring food to the prison, the rules had been
relaxed
for Christmas. Rosemary planned to fill little bags with homemade cookies
and candy for the men. For many, it would be their only gift.

That morning, Sister Maurella attended mass. She was thinking about the
inmates, wondering if they could actually experience Christmas behind bars,
when she sensed God's presence, and a message. "Bring one hundred
bags to the prison," it seemed to say.

One hundred! That seemed far too many for Rosemary's usual group of 30 or 40
men. Had the words just been Sister's imagination? Sister talked it over
with Rosemary. "Well..." Rosemary decided, "It's a lot, but I'd rather have
too many than not enough."

The women spent the day filling one hundred white bags with goodies, then
carefully packed the car. As they came through the prison gates, the
chaplain
flagged them down. "The chapel is packed!" he exclaimed. Sister was glad
they had brought extras.

Instead of Rosemary and Pat conducting a meeting, they were surprised to
discover
that the convicts themselves had prepared a Christmas program. An inmate
with a vibrant voice sang the poignant story of the Little Drummer Boy.
Another did the Ave Maria. Several read inspirational pieces, and some
prayed. The chapel was hushed, small candles providing the only light.

Finally the program ended, and the men eagerly lined up. Sister Maurella and
Rosemary handed each a white bag. But when all the bags were gone, there
were ten men still standing in line---and no more candy to give away.

Sister stood, shocked and dismayed. How could this have happened? If God
had truly spoken to her that morning, why hadn't He told her to bring one
hundred and ten bags? What should they do? "God, multiply the bags,"
Rosemary prayed silently.

But a young convict had also seen their dilemma. "Sister," he spoke
quietly,
"we others....we'll share our bags with them."

Sister looked at the faces surrounding her. Men of every color and
nationality, murderers, thieves... But men who now, because of His
birthday,
were willing to reach out to others, to give, to care. Tears pricked her
eyes.

Suddenly a prison trustee entered the chapel, carrying a sack. "Rosemary,
we had some leftovers from a group that came this morning," he said.
"Can you use these?"

Rosemary took the sack. Inside were ten white bags, each filled with sweets.

Everyone rejoiced as the remaining men received their treats, especially
Sister.
She had wondered if Christmas could come in a prison, but now she knew.
Where love is, God is.

Christmas Recipe !


1/2 cup of Hugs
4 teaspoons kisses
4 cups of Love
1 cup of Holiday Cheer
1/2 cup of Peace on Earth
3 teaspoons of Christmas Cheer
2 cups of Goodwill Towards Men
1 Sprig of Mistletoe
1 Medium size bag of Christmas Snowflakes
Mix Hugs, Kisses, Smiles, and Love until consistent.
Blend in Holiday Cheer, Peace on Earth,
Christmas Spirit and Goodwill Toward Men.
Use the mixture to fill a large, warm heart where it
can be stored for a lifetime, for it never goes bad!
Serve as desired under Mistletoe, sprinkle liberally with
Christmas Snowflakes
it is especially good when accompanied by Christmas
carols and family get-together.
Serve to one and all!

May God keep you in His loving arms and I pray Jesus walks beside you as you
walk the path way God has placed you on. And I pray the Holy Ghost fills
you with the Wisdom and the Knowledge to complete all God has placed on your
plate each day.

EVERY DAY IS CHRISTMAS
Author Unknown


Every day is Christmas when you have the kind of mind,
That stores up all the goodness and the sweetness it can find.
When you don't need an occasion, to spread a bit of cheer,
But just keep on a-giving, of yourself throughout the year.

Every day is Christmas, with a gaily wrapped surprise,
When you've learned to see the friendship, in someone else's eyes.
When you try a little harder, and complain a little less,
Holding fast to all the fervor of the faith that you possess.

Every day is Christmas, when you've found that you can be
More concerned with words like "you" and less with "I" and "me."
When it's fun to do a favor, and to lend a helping hand,
When being understood means less, than when you understand.

Every day is Christmas, with a beauty deeply cast,
When you find it doesn't matter, if you're first or if you're last.
When you can face your conscience, and be glad of what you are,
Then every day is Christmas, with a stable and a star.

Going God's Way


I arise today, equipped and
fortified to meet life's
problems, with :

GOD's WISDOM
to guide me.

GOD's PROVIDENCE
to look after me.

GOD's UNDERSTANDING
to hear me.

GOD's COUNSEL
to speak to me.

GOD's FORTITUDE
to guard me.

GOD's WAY
of life before me.

GOD's POWER
to protect me.

GOD's LOVE
to save me.


--A CHRISTMAS ALPHABET

A is for Angels, appearing so bright,
Telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.

B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old,
Birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.

C is for Cattle, their manger His bed,
There in the stable where He laid His head.

D is for David and his ancient throne
Promised forever to Jesus alone.

E is for East, where shone the bright star
Which Magi on camels followed afar.

F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold,
Brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.

G is for God, who from heaven above
Sent down to mankind the Son of His love.

H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme
Was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.

I is for Immanuel, "God with us,"
For Christ brought man back to the Father's house.

J is for Joseph so noble and just,
Obeying God's word with absolute trust.

K is for King. A true king He would be,
Coming in power and authority.

L is for Love that He brought down to earth
That night in the stable in lowly birth.

M is for Mary, His mother so brave,
Counting God faithful and mighty to save.

N is for Night, when the Savior was born
For nations of earth and people forlorn.

O is for Omega, meaning "the last;"
He's eternal: present, future and past.

P is for Prophets, when living on earth
Foretold His redemption and blessed birth.

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard
Hastened to act on that heavenly word.

R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is
Banished forever when Jesus comes in.

S is for Savior. To be this He came;
The angel of God assigned Him His name.

T is for Tidings related to all,
Telling of Him who was born in a stall.

U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given
To show us the way and take us to heaven.

V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage,
God's revelation on prophecy's page.
Matthew 1:23

W is for Wonderful, His works and His words,
The King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.

X is for Christ. It's X in the Greek,
Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.

Y is for Yes, called God's Yes in His Word;
God's answer to all is Jesus the Lord.

Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ's heart.
Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.

Good night all - Sweet dreams and may your Tuesday be filled with
positiveness and peacefulness in this hurried up world. God bless you!