Community Chat

[gloriajean]

God is always at work in your life. Notice His light on the events of your
day.
Lord, I sometimes look without really seeing. Help me to pause and notice.

Scripture for the day:


"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,
and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us."
~Hebrews 12:1

Meditation for the day:

Spiritual development can be achieved by daily persistence in living
the way we believe God wants us to live. Like the wearing away of a
stone by steady drops of water, so can our daily persistence wear away
all the difficulties and gain spiritual success for us. We need never
falter in our daily, steady persistence. We can go forward boldly and
unafraid. God can help and strengthen us, as long as we are trying to
do God's will.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may persist day by day in gaining spiritual experience.
I pray that I may make this a lifetime work.

Hello my friends! How was your day? We had Darla and Greg here this morning
yet for a brunch (in the patio) before Linus had to go to work at noon, and
they stayed until about one pm. It was so nice having them this morning and
last night, too, was fun being with them. Nothing better than family,
right? They are at the airport now - and their plane leaves in a few
minutes. due to get back to Dallas airport at midnight. They talk about
coming again maybe for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Christmas for sure!! His
Mom was totally surprised at her birthday party!
Greg's son, Dakota, 19, left today to get signed in for the Air Force. He
called his Dad that he may get into the Air Force soon - that they had some
openings in his field he wants to go into. That would be great for him! He
doesn't want to fly planes, but help with medical etc. there. Got a call
today from our neighbors across the street inviting us over for a fish fry
on Thursday night along with our next door neighbors - we all get together
at the same time and play cards after or Farkel. She asked me for the Farkel
sheet because she doesn't have one. Linus is off that night so really look
forward to it. The neighbors are very happy we are staying, but not as
happy as we are! So are Darla and Greg! God is Good!

Homily of the Day


August 22, 2011


Why Was Jesus So Hard on the Pharisees?
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.


2 Thes 1:1-5,11-12 / Mt 23:13-22

There are far too many things in this world that make absolutely no sense!
Our newspapers and our daily conversations are filled with examples that
utterly astonish us: The $600 toilet seats purchased by the Pentagon, the
crazier aspects of our well-intentioned welfare programs, the follies of our
local government, or perhaps even the foolish way our parish carnival gets
organized.

It has always been so, as Jesus underscores in today’s gospel. And why is
this? In Jesus’ day as well as in our own, the vested interests of the few
become the engine that drives whole institutions into foolish extremes.
Ceasing to think about God’s whole family and focusing solely upon oneself
has two destructive consequences. The more obvious, of course, is that the
family is injured. But further beneath the surface is the damage to the
hearts of those who have turned inward and sought only themselves.

Jesus was unusually outspoken in addressing such hypocrites because they
generally don’t even notice what they’re doing to others and to their own
souls. That should set off some alarms in our own heads: Am I truly using
God’s gifts for the good of the big family? Am I ever like the Pharisees,
hiding behind the rules to advance my own interests at the cost of others,
even the members of my own family? What exactly can I do to start changing
this now?

Mother Teresa Said...

"Cheerfulness should be one of the main points of our religious life.
A cheerful giver is a great giver.
Cheerfulness is a sign of a generous and mortified person,
who, forgetting all things, even herself, tries to please God in all she
does for souls.
Cheerfulness is often a cloak which hides a life of sacrifice,
continual union with God, fervor and generosity."

Is It Any Wonder

Is it any wonder that the world is filled with pain
when we set aside the beauty for our own material gain?

Is it any wonder that lovers' hearts grow dim
when we do not hold in honor the love we find within?

Is it any wonder that the homeless are weak and frail
when we put them out of house and home to seek another trail?

Is it any wonder that nature falls to ruin and rubble
because we take with no return allowing it to crumble?

Is it any wonder that children are lead astray
because we did not take the time to show the proper way?

Is it any wonder that evil is strong and bold
when we do not see goodness and let our hearts grow cold?

Is it any wonder racism flourishes, my friend,
when we do not see PEOPLE, but just the color of skin?

Is it any wonder that friendships die and fade
when we forget the reasons in which they were first made?

Is it any wonder our world is scarred and polluted
when we allow our industries to strip it as they're suited?

Is it any wonder there is such depression and sorrow
when we do not seem to care what will happen tomorrow?

Is it any wonder we do not see the values of our brothers
when we hold our own selves above the needs of others?

Is it any wonder our world is like it is
when we sit and grumble with actions we don't give?

Is it any wonder we wait in fear of Judgment Day
when we do the things we do, then forget to pray?

Author Unknown

Once upon a time a little candle stood in a room filled with other candles,
most of them much larger and much more beautiful than she was. Some were
ornate and some were rather simple, like herself Some were white, some were
blue, some were pink, some were green. She had no idea why she was there,
and the
other candles made her feel rather small and insignificant.


When the sun went down and the room began to get dark, she noticed a large
man walking toward her with a ball of fire on a stick. She suddenly realized
that the man was going to set her on fire.


"No, no!!" she cried, "Aaaaagghhh! Don't burn me, please!" But she knew that
she could not be heard and prepared for the pain that would surely follow.
To her surprise, the room filled with light. She wondered where it came from
since the man had extinguished his fire stick, To her delight, she realized
that the light came from herself.


Then the man struck another fire stick and, one by one, lit the other
candles in the room. Each one gave out the same light that she did.


During the next few hours, she noticed that, slowly, her wax began to flow.
She became aware that she would soon die. With this realization came a sense
of why she had been created. "Perhaps my purpose on earth is to give out
light until I die," she mused. And that's exactly what she did.


God created you and I to produce light in a dark world. Like that little
candle, we all can produce the same amount of light, no matter how small we
are or what color we might be. But we can't produce light until we receive
it from an outside source. That source is Jesus Christ, the light of the
world. Also like the little candle, we have to die in order to produce
light. If we try to preserve ourselves, our lives will be meaningless. But
if we are willing to lose our lives for Christ's sake (Matthew 10:39), we
will find our true purpose and meaning.

TEN LITTLE CHRISTIANS
Author Unknown
August 22, 2011


Ten little Christians standing in a line,
One disliked the pastor, then there were nine.
Nine little Christians stayed up very late,
One slept in on Sunday, then there were eight.

Eight little Christians on their way to heaven,
One took the low road, then there were seven.
Seven little Christians chirping like chicks,
One disliked the music, then there were six.

Six little Christians seemed very much alive,
But one lost his interest, then there were five.
Five little Christians pulling for Heaven's shore,
But one stopped to rest, then there were four.

Four little Christians, each busy as a bee,
One got her feelings hurt, then there were three.
Three little Christians knew what to do,
One joined the sports crowd, then there were two.

Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done,
Differed with each other, then there was one.
One little Christian can't do much 'tis true;
Brought his friend to Bible study, then there were two.

Two earnest Christians, each won one more,
That doubled their number, then there were four.
Four sincere Christians worked early and late,
Each won another, then there were eight.

Eight little Christians, if they doubled as before,
In just a few short weeks, we'd have 1,024.
In this little jingle, there's a lesson true,
You belong to the building, or the wrecking crew.

Lord,

I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.

I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end,
I praise you as my constant helper,
And call on you as my loving protector.

Guide me by your wisdom,
Correct me with your justice,
Comfort me with your mercy,
Protect me with your power.

Amen

Prayers in Times of Weakness, Trial, Tribulation

O Heart of Love, I place all my trust in Thee, for I fear all things from my
own weakness, but I hope for all things from Thy goodness.
St. Margaret Mary

I live through the mercy of Jesus, to whom I owe everything and from whom I
expect everything.
Pope John the 23rd

Yet, O Lord, though I have no feeling of confidence in You, nevertheless, I
know that You are my God, that I am all Yours, and that I have no hope but
in your goodness; so, I abandon myself entirely into Your hands.
St. Francis de Sales

You make a root below the soil flourish and you can make fruitful the
darkness in which you keep me.
Jean-Pierre de Caussade

I adore all Thy purposes without knowing them; I am silent; I offer myself
in sacrifice; I yield myself to Thee; I would have no other desire than to
accomplish Thy will. Teach me to pray; pray Thyself in me.
Fenelon

May I be patient! It is so difficult to realize what one believes, and to
make these trials, as they are intended, real blessings.
John Henry Cardinal Newman

My own heart let me more have pity on.
Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J.

WELCOMING THE HOLY SPIRIT
-
Holy Spirit, you are welcome in my mind.
Holy Spirit, please transform my mind.
Bring my every thought into alignment with God's perfect plan for my life.
-
Holy Spirit, you are welcome in my heart.
Holy Spirit, please transform my heart.
Erase every feeling, memory and experience that is not a reflection of God's
love for me.
-
Holy Spirit, you are welcome in my life.
Holy Spirit, please transform every condition, situation and circumstance of
my life.
Make my life a living reflection of the goodness and glory of God.
-
Holy Spirit, transform every part of me that is not in keeping with God's
love, God's goodness, God's purpose
and God's perfect plan for me to live a life of joy, peace, wholeness, ease,
harmony and abundance.
-
Holy Spirit, help me to be all that God created me to be. For Your Presence
I Am So Grateful!


A BOUQET FOR GOD
By Gail Rodgers

Do you ever wonder how to accept compliments when you have simply done
what God asked you to and know He empowered you to do it?

Jesus said that we cannot bear fruit unless we are connected to Him. Our
own best efforts, without the power of the Holy Spirit, will have no effect
for eternity.

He told us that having fruit in our lives shows that we are Jesus'
followers. When we see results for God's kingdom...God gets the credit.

Jesus said" This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing
yourselves to be my disciples" (John 15:7).

So what do you do when people want to give you the credit and you feel
uncomfortable with it?

A wise lady once told me to graciously say "thank you" and receive each
compliment as you would accept a beautiful rose. Honor the giver with
heartfelt gratitude. Enjoy each blossom that is handed to you and in your
heart praise God for the beauty His fruit has brought to your own life.
Then, at the end of each day, offer all the flowers up to God as a bouquet
of praise and thankfulness to Him.

Giving everything back to God, whether it is your compliments, your
accomplishments, your riches or your influence keeps them from taking root
in your own heart. It keeps you mindful of God's work through the power of
His Holy Spirit and safeguards you from having unwanted seeds of pride take
root.

Don't rob God by casting aside the kind words of those whose lives are
touched by what God is doing through you. Gather the lovely flowers and
carry them to your Heavenly Father as your praise offering.

What a lovely picture...bouquets for God.

~ Father God,

Thank You for Your empowering Holy Spirit who works through me to touch
lives around me. Please help me to graciously accept the flowers of
gratitude that come my way and to gather them together as a bouquet for You,
the Giver of all good gifts. Keep my heart free of self pride that stifles
Your Spirit and use me to bear much fruit for Your kingdom. With
thanksgiving I pray in Jesus' strong name, amen.

Good night everyone and sweet dreams to all! May you all enjoy a wonderful
Tuesday filled with many blessings from Whom all Blessings Flow. God bless
you all!