Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Avoid using the words 'If only...' and 'I should have...'. These can
destroy
your peace of mind and even your health. Lord, help me to stop punishing
myself for past mistakes and live in the peace of the present.


Scripture for the day:

"O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!" ~Psalm
71:12

Meditation for the day

I can work for God, with God and through God's help. By helping to bring
about a true fellowship of human beings, I am working for God.
I am also working with God because this is the way God works, and God is
with
me when I am doing such work. I cannot do good work, however, without God's
help. In the final analysis, it is through the grace of God that any real
change in human personality takes place. I can rely on God's power, and
anything I accomplish is through God's help.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may work for God and with God. I pray that I may be used to
change human personalities through God's help.

Hello my friends! It was a snowy day today! Darla was lucky to be back home
in Texas! Sammy didn't seem to mind one bit though. Yes, Sammy the dog! I
woke up with the sniffles - nose kept on running - so I wouldn't go out at
all. I bet I caught someone's cold on line!! It's not that bad though, I'm
sure tomorrow will be better - at least I'm not coughing like before.
I've been doing a little decorating and changing things around. In the
dining room I have this Vienna Woods china hanging, some cups, etc. that is
safe to hang, and I put my Mother's picture there - when she was just 27 -
she sure was a beautiful lady! I love it there. I have my Dad's there too,
but it's not framed yet, and it's smaller, I want Lori to do something with
it on the computer, and then maybe we can have another nice oval frame for
him too - it's a Service picture of him. I thought why have these precious
pictures hidden?
I changed things around in the living room too. I like the change! It's
been a lazy day here for me being I'm not feeling that good, but just a few
things got done. Made chili for supper - it was ready when he came home
from work at 5:30.

THE STORY OF SOUL
Author Unknown


There once was a man named Soul who was walking in a garden. He was
whistling a real sweet tune for he was saved and had the joy of the
Lord, but he was a baby Christian. As Soul was walking, a beautiful
and seductive woman came out from behind a tree. Soul was very
startled. He said, "Hello, I'm Soul, what is your name?"

She replied, "I am Temptation, I have what you want."

"What do I want?" replied Soul.

"You want to do all things which are of the flesh," said Temptation.

Soul replied, "O.K., lead me."

So he and Temptation went off and fulfilled the desires of the flesh.
When Soul returned to the garden, he met a man named Condemnation.
Condemnation said, "Hey, I see you have met my friend, Temptation."

Soul said, "Yes, who are you?"

"I am Condemnation, I come after Temptation. We work hand-in-hand. "
Then Condemnation jumped on Soul's back and began to beat him. He hit
him in the face and kicked him when he was down. This went on for
several days.

On about the third day, a man named Mercy came running and said, "I
command you, Condemnation, to stop beating Soul."

Condemnation snickered, "Make me."

So Mercy unsheathed his sword and cut Condemnation in two.

As Soul watched in astonished pain, he was overtaken by the power of
Mercy. Mercy walked up to Soul and said, "I have dealt with
Condemnation before. He should not show up around you anymore."

Soul replied, "How can I ever thank you?"

"Well," replied Mercy, "I was sent here by God and He told me to
introduce you to a dear friend of mine. His name is Redemption."

Redemption walked up and said, "Hello Soul, I see that you are not
doing well."

Soul replied, "Not until Mercy came along. It is a pleasure to meet
you Redemption."

"Well", said Redemption," I am glad to meet you. Are you ready to
accept me?"

"What do you mean?" asked Soul.

Redemption said, "Well, when you accepted Jesus and decided to walk
with Him, then you chose to accept the things of Him and His love. I
am a part of Jesus' love. I help you feel forgiven. You will never
have to deal with Condemnation again. Temptation may come around, but
I have someone I would like for you to meet who can help you with
that. His name is Grace."

Grace walked up to Soul and said, "Hello Soul, I have been waiting for
you. As a matter of fact all three of us have been waiting to meet
you.

I will help you take the way out of Temptation that God gives you as
it comes up. The last person we want you to meet is Faith."

"Hi Soul, I am Faith, and I will help you stay strong and keep your
beliefs strong," said Faith.

Soul began to cry. When he began to cry Redemption said, "This is what
we were here for. Jesus redeemed you, saved you by Grace through Faith
and gives you his Mercy. Jesus loves you Soul."

Soul said, "I love you, Jesus."

PRINTS OF ELBOWS ON MY BED
Author Unknown


I was but a youth and thoughtless,

As all youths are apt to be;

Though I had a Christian mother

Who had taught me carefully.

There came a time when pleasure

Of the world came to allure,

And I no more sought the guidance

Of her love so good and pure.

Her tender admonitions fell

But lightly on my ear,

And for the gentle warnings

I felt an inward sneer.

But Mother would not yield her boy

To Satan's sinful sway,

And though I spurned her counsel

She knew a better way.

She made my room an altar,

A place of secret prayer,

And there she took her burden

And left it in His care.

And morning, noon and evening

By that humble bedside low,

She sought the aid of Him who

Understands a mother's woe.

And I went my way unheeding,

Careless of the life I led,

Until one day I noticed

Prints of elbows on my bed.

Then I saw that she had been there

Praying for her wayward boy,

Who for love of worldly pleasure

Would her peace of mind destroy.

Long the conflict raged within me,

Sin against my Mother's prayers,

Sin must yield - for Mother never

While she daily met Him there.

And her constant love and patience

Were like coals upon my head,

Together with the imprints

Of her elbows on my bed.

And so at last the fight was won,

And I to Christ was led,

And Mother's prayers were answered

By her elbows on my bed.

All Roads Lead Home

Whatever you are going through,
Of pain or circumstance,
It is not there because of luck,
It is not there by chance!

God has a special plan for you
That's known to Him alone,
So trust that He is leading right,
For all His roads lead home!

He's promised He will never give
A thing too much for us,
But make escape in every trial,
So in His mercy trust.

Sometimes the way is smooth and fine,
Sometimes all rock and stone-
But whatever way He gives,
All His roads lead home!

He uses pain, He uses others,
To bring deep-needed change.
No circumstance He gives to us
Is in our life in vain.

Oh, child of His, don't be concerned,
The path ahead's unknown,
For with the Savior as your Guide,
All His roads lead home!

Lynn Fenimore Nuzzi

PARABLE OF THE PENCIL
Author Unknown
January 3, 2012


The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into
the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil,
before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never
forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow
yourself to be held in Someone's hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but
you'll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark.
No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box
with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them
and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow
yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to
access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by
going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a
stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow
through them.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the
inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No
matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in
everything.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this
earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with
God daily.

A Prayer for Guidance
Lord I stand before you with a heavy heart,
I don’t have all the answers,
I am turning to you for guidance.

I want to be happy and healthy,
not if it offends you.
I want to know I am making the right decisions,
decisions that will not hurt you.

I am human and know I make mistakes,
I am human and know I am weak.
Allow me to gain strength from you.
I am asking for help.

Give me the strength to fight for what is important.
Give me the strength to help people as they help me.
Help me to see right from wrong through the trials of my life.
Never let me just give up on myself.

Forgive me for my mistakes and failures,
know I am trying to be the best and strongest person I can.
Never let me quit! ´

Amen.

Evening Prayer to God the Father
O eternal God and Ruler of all creation, You have allowed me to reach this
hour. Forgive the sins I have committed this day by word, deed or thought.
Purify me, O Lord, from every spiritual and physical stain. Grant that I may
rise from this sleep to glorify You by my deeds throughout my entire
lifetime, and that I be victorious over every spiritual and physical enemy.
Deliver me, O Lord, from all vain thoughts and from evil desires, for yours
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and ever, and forever. Amen. (By Saint Macarius)

Evening Prayer to the Holy Spirit
O Holy Spirit, most merciful Comforter: You proceed from the Father in a
manner beyond our understanding. Come, I beseech You, and take up your abode
in my heart. Purify and cleanse me from all sin, and sanctify my soul.
Cleanse it from every impurity, water its dryness, melt its coldness, and
save it from its sinful ways. Make me truly humble and resigned, that I may
be pleasing to You, and that You might abide with me forever. Most Blessed
Light, most Amiable Light, enlighten me. O Rapturous Joy of Paradise, Fount
of Purest Delight, My God, give yourself to me and kindle in my innermost
soul the fire of Your love. My Lord, instruct, direct, and defend me in all
things. Give me strength against all immoderate fears and against
despondency. Bestow upon me a true faith, a firm hope, and a sincere and a
perfect love. Grant that I always do Thy Most Gracious Will. Amen. (By Saint
Antiochus)

Evening Prayer to the Son of God
O Only-Begotten Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, who alone are perfect:
according to the greatness of your mercy, do not abandon me, your servant,
but ever rest in my heart. O Sweet Jesus, Good Shepherd of Your flock,
deliver me from the attacks of The Enemy. Do not allow me to become the prey
of Satan's evil intent, even though I have within me the seed of eternal
damnation. Instead, O Lord Jesus Christ, Adorable God, Holy King, while I
sleep, protect me by Your Holy spirit, through Whom You sanctified Your
Apostles. Enlighten my mind by the light of the Holy Gospel, my soul by the
love of Your Cross, my heart by the purity of Your teaching. Protect my body
by Your sacred passion, my senses by Your humility, and awaken me in due
time for Your glorification. For You, above all, are adorable, together with
Your eternal Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
(By Saint Antiochus)

Take care everyone and enjoy your Tuesday's blessings! I know I will! God
is a God of surprises!