Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Worry gets in the way of getting what you really want. Lord, help
me use my time in ways to enrich my life rather than focusing on
things I can do nothing about anyway.


Scripture for the day:

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you
will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it
will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together,
running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will
be the measure you get back." ~Luke 6:37-38

Meditation for the day:

We can try not to give way to criticism, blame, scorn or judgment of
others, when we are trying to help them. Effectiveness in helping
others depends on controlling ourselves. We may be swept away by a
temporary natural urge to criticize or blame, unless we keep a tight
rein on our emotions. We can have a firm foundation of spiritual
living which makes us truly humble, if we are going to really help
other people. We can go easy on them and be hard on ourselves. That
is the way we can be used most to uplift a despairing spirit. We need
not seek personal recognition for what we are used by God to
accomplish.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may try to avoid judgment and criticism. I pray that I
may always try to build up others instead of tearing them down.

Greetings my friends! How was your day? Someone died who my DH knew so we went to the wake tonight. Very pretty lady - she had a brain tumor, and so young yet! Then we met our girls at our fav restauant for a drink and apetizers, and Darla met with Jim to discuss having her Wedding reception there. Seems like this is the place she chose.
She had an exciting day today too, she bought her Weddng Gown - at the frist place we went - got 40% off on it, off the rack and she was excited she could get a size 4! Imagine getting into a size 4! I was only 107 when I got married and I had a size 8. That was so nice meeting with them tonight - it was an unexpected blessing.


Homily of the Day


June 27, 2011

Did the Dog Really Eat Your Homework?
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Gn 18: 16-33 / Mt 8:18-22

Most people are fairly accomplished at the art of making excuses, no matter what the issue. Indeed many of us got an early start with the dog eating our fictional homework or our little brother throwing that same fictional homework out the car window on the way to school. Or perhaps it was as simple a, “She made me do it.”

Later on we graduated to things like, “I can’t start a diet at Christmas,” or “the host would be offended if I didn’t accept another glass,” or “they don’t really need this.”

Jesus knows the truth and so do we: There was no homework; she didn’t make me do it; I don’t want to diet; I do want another drink; and I am taking what doesn’t belong to me! So when Jesus calls us, as He does every day, to come and follow Him, there are only two truthful answers: Yes and No. Excuses aren’t answers, and they don’t count.

So what’s your answer to Jesus’ invitation going to be today? Yes or No? Remember now: No excuses!

Mother Teresa said...
We have a right to be happy and peaceful. We have been created for this - we are born to be happy - and we can only find true happiness and peace when we are in love with God; there is joy in loving God, great happiness in loving Him.

Believe what God believes...
Overcoming negative feelings, whether they stem from childhood or current situation, takes time and effort, but change is possible.
Christian psychologist, Dr. Di ck Dickerson, has written a beautiful summary of how God looks at you. Read this passage aloud to yourself every morning and evening for the next month, then evaluate how your feelings about yourself have changed:
BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME, HE IS SLOW TO LOSE PATIENCE WITH ME.

BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME, HE TAKES THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF MY LIFE AND USES THEM IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY FOR MY GROWTH.

BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME, HE DOES NOT TREAT ME AS AN OBJECT TO BE POSSESSED AND MANIPULATED.

BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME, HE DOES NOT NEED TO IMPRESS ME WITH HOW GREAT AND POWERFUL HE IS BECAUSE HE IS GOD. NOR DOES HE BELITTLE ME AS HIS CHILD IN ORDER TO SHOW ME HOW IMPORTANT HE IS.

BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME, HE IS FOR ME. HE WANTS TO SEE ME MATURE AND DEVELOP IN HIS LOVE.

BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME, HE DOES NOT SEND DOWN HIS WRATH ON EVERY LITTLE MISTAKE I MAKE, OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY.

BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME, HE DOES NOT KEEP SCORE OF ALL MY SINS AND THEN BEAT ME OVER THE HEAD WITH THEM WHENEVER HE GETS A CHANCE.

BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME, HE IS DEEPLY GRIEVED WHEN I DO NOT WALK IN THE WAYS THAT PLEASE HIM BECAUSE HE SEES THIS AS EVIDENCE THAT I DON'T TRUST HIM AND LOVE HIM AS I SHOULD.

BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME, HE KEEPS WORKING PATIENTLY WITH ME EVEN WHEN I FEEL LIKE GIVING UP.

BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME, HE KEEPS ON TRUSTING ME WHEN AT TIMES I DON'T EVEN TRUST MYSELF.

BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME, HE NEVER SAYS THERE IS NO HOPE FOR ME. RATHER, HE PATIENTLY WORKS WITH ME, LOVES ME, AND DISCIPLINES ME IN SUCH A WAY, THAT IT IS HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND THE DEPTH OF HIS CONCERN FOR ME.

Mother's Maintenance Manual



Many of us take better care of our cars than we do our mothers and yet, we
only expect our cars to last 5 or 6 years, but we expect our mothers to last
a lifetime. Maybe we need a maintenance manual for mothers so we would know
how to take care of them at least as well as we do our automobiles.

Here are some items that might be included in such a manual:

ENGINE: A mother's engine is one of the most dependable kinds you can find.
She can reach top speed from a prone position at a single cry from a sleeping
child. But regular breaks are needed to keep up that peak performance.
Mothers need a hot bath and a nap every 100 miles, a baby-sitter and a night
out every 1,000 miles, and a live-in baby-sitter with a one week vacation
every 10,000 miles.

BATTERY: Mother's batteries should be recharged regularly. Handmade items,
notes, unexpected hugs and kisses, and frequent "I love you's" will do very
well for a quick recharge.

WINDSHIELD: When a mother's windshield floods, it should be dried off gently
with Kleenex while resting on the soft shoulder of the highway of life.

BRAKES: See that she uses her brakes to slow down often and come to a full
stop occasionally. (A squeaking sound indicates a need for a rest.)

FUEL: Most mothers can run indefinitely on coffee, left overs and salads, but
an occasional dinner for two at a nice restaurant will really add to her
efficiency.

CHASSIS: Mothers run best when their bodies are properly maintained. Regular
exercise should be encouraged and provided for as necessary. A change in
hairdo or makeup in spring or fall are also helpful. If you notice the
chassis begins to sag, immediately start a program of walking, jogging,
swimming, or bike riding. These are most effective when done with family or
friends.

TUNE-UPS: Mothers need regular tune-ups. Compliments are both the cheapest
and most effective way to keep mothers purring contentedly.



If these instructions are followed consistently, this fantastic creation and
gift from God, that we call MOTHER should last a lifetime and give good
service and constant love to those who need her most.

OUR LIFE IS JESUS TO SOMEONE


YOUR LIFE is Jesus to someone,
though tattered and torn it may be.

Though often times weak and unstable,

you're all of God someone will see.


YOUR TONGUE is Jesus to someone.
That idle, insensitive word
reflects to at least one searching heart
an idle, insensitive Lord.


YOUR GOALS are Jesus to someone.
What you put first, they believe,
are the goals of God for the Christian.
Your life is all they receive.


YOUR FAITHFULNESS... that's Jesus to someone.
Their judgement of how God is true,
rests unquestionably in the faithfulness
they see day by day in you.


YOUR LOVE is Jesus to someone--
that someone who is seeking to know
that Jesus will follow and guide and
befriend wherever in life they might go.


SO BEWARE lest others blaspheme
God by what you say or do,
for the only Jesus that someone knows
is the Jesus they see in you.


Unknown

Like an Only Child

A woman who was dying of AIDS summoned a Christian friend to comfort her, but it seemed hopeless.

“I'm lost,” she said. “I've ruined my life and every life around me. I'm headed for H ell. There's no hope for me.”

Her friend saw a framed picture of a pretty girl on the dresser. “Who is that?” he asked.

The woman brightened. “She's my daughter, the one beautiful thing in my life.”

“Would you help her if she was in trouble, no matter how many mistakes she'd made? Would you forgive her if she asked you to? Would you still love her, no matter what?”

“Of course I would!” the woman exclaimed. “Why would you even ask a question like that?”

“Because I want you to understand,” explained her friend, “that God has a picture of you on His dresser, too.”

WINDSHIELD WIPER LESSON FROM A CHILD
Author Unknown
June 27, 2011


One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of
town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet
and slick.

Suddenly, my son Matthew spoke up from his relaxed position in the
front seat.

"Mom, I'm thinking of something."

This announcement usually meant he had been pondering some fact for a
while and was now ready to expound all that his seven-year-old mind
had discovered.

I was eager to hear. "What are you thinking?" I asked.

"The rain," he began, "is like sin and the windshield wipers are like
God, wiping our sins away."

After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond. "That's
really good, Matthew."

Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little boy take this
revelation? So I asked... "Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming?
What does that tell you?"

Matthew didn't hesitate one moment with his answer: "We keep on
sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."

Who can drive in the rain again without thinking of this one???

Prayer to Redeem Lost Time
O my God! Source of all mercy! I acknowledge Your sovereign power. While recalling the wasted years that are past, I believe that You, Lord, can in an instant turn this loss to gain. Miserable as I am, yet I firmly believe that You can do all things. Please restore to me the time lost, giving me Your grace, both now and in the future, that I may appear before You in "wedding garments." Amen.

Saint Teresa of Avila