Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Hello my friends! Today's blessings was just ordinary, but ordinary is special, isn't it? Enough food to cook with, enough friends to talk to, Bible Study on Mary to go to tonight, and see a bunch of Church friends, and more. Sammy is such a little sweetheart to have around! He's a blessing to have! He makes it that I'm not all alone here. Linus is busy stripping Darla's old antique table and got it all sanded etc. and tomorrow the varnish goes on and it will be beautiful! Also the dresser he worked on today. Weather there about the same as here. Darla taught last night - had to be in school today, Greg working, so he was mostly alone today working, but they sure are treating him nicely - taking him places etc over the weekend. She should hear any day now about the tenure one way or another. Must hurry and get ready for Bible Study now.

You are a blessed, creative, lovable and needed being created by God.

Lord, may these qualities shine forth and be used to bless those around me.

S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y

"For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for
you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in
all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of
the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as
you grow in the knowledge of God." ~Colossians
1:9

M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y

We can persevere in all that God's guidance moves us to do. The persistent
carrying out of what seems right and good can bring us to that place where
we would be. If we look back over God's guidance, we can see that God's
leading has been very gradual and that only as we have carried out God's
wishes, as far as we can understand them, has God been able to give us more
clear and definite leading. We can be led by God's touch on a quickened
responsive mind.

P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y

I pray that I may persevere in doing what seems right. I pray that I may
carry out all of God's leading as far as I can understand it.

Give your life to Jesus

When Jesus comes into your life,

and dwells within your heart,

You'll never be the same again,

and that's the greatest part.

For man is weak and sinful,

and he struggles to survive,

But when Jesus isn't in his life,

he's only just alive.

Material wealth is not enough,

this he'll find is true,

The reason he'll not understand,

and he'll know not what to do.

For happiness and peace of mind,

are elusive as the breeze,

His heart and soul are restless,

like the ever endless seas.

But Jesus is the savior

of man's sick and troubled soul,

And He can take a broken life,

and make it new and whole.

So give your life to Jesus,

let Him cleanse your heart and soul,

And eternal life in heaven

will be your life's new goal.

by

Peggy Allman

The Call

The Master called my name one day because He needed someone to go.

I said "Lord, in my spare time, between school, spending time with my husband, working from 8 to 6, and trying to coordinate a program for my community to help our children do better, I will help You look. See, I know I can't go right now cause I have so much to do."

He said, "Well where shall I find such a person? I thought I saw your name on my list of available people."

"Well Lord, that was the prayer that I prayed last year, but since then, things have changed."

He said "Like what?"

"Well I'm working on my Ph.D. and I'm needed by so many people and my husband is always wanting something done, and on top of that my community expects me to help and give to them so..."

"Well, seeing that you're busy, I'll let you go, but we will talk again, if you have some time."

I went on through the days, and the weeks, and the months completing my task as always. One evening, while studying for my computer exams, I received a call from the hospital concerning my husband.

He had been in a terrible accident and was in critical condition. I dropped everything and ran to the hospital where I found my husband hanging on for dear life.

I immediately begin to pray "Lord, don't take him now, I can't bear it", but my prayer echoed off the wall and returned into my own ear.

That next morning I left the hospital tired and weary, and walked in the door of my classroom just in time to begin my computer exams.

As the professors begin asking me questions I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. In my mind, I began praying, praying hard, but my prayer echoed again and I found myself upset at the Lord because He was nowhere to be found. I could not explain to them what was happening.

After leaving from my exams, I called in to work because I was so distraught at all that was going on. I explained to my supervisor what had happened and she demanded that I take some time off.

After visiting my husband in the hospital that evening, I went home and fell into a sunken state, crying and despairing. Just then I heard someone calling my name.

"Lord, is that you?"

"Well yes it is. Do you have some time? I wanted to see if I could just talk ..... "

Instead of waiting to hear His questions, I lashed out in anger and resentment. "How is it that when I needed You today, You couldn't be found and last night I cried and cried but all I heard were echoes from the walls.

My husband is dying, I'm flunking out of school, I may not have a job and You can just sit and say You want to talk".

The Lord interrupted me in my foolish speaking. "My child, I was busy out looking for someone to go and tell others about me when you cried. By the time I came to answer, you had moved on to something else.

So, I decided to let your husband rest, and keep you home for a few days that way maybe you would get in touch with me, if you had some time. For you see, before your husband, the community or your job needs you, I NEED YOU.

And if all these things take you away from me, I have to almost take them away from YOU, in order to get a moment. "

I calmed down and began to cry. For I remembered my prayer of wanting to go and do for the Lord.

He said "I just wanted to recheck with you to see if you knew of anyone that I could send to be a witness for me and tell others about me... anyone at all....?"

With tears in my eyes and feeling so unworthy I said "Lord, send me, I'll go."

The Lord should never have to ask us if we have some time. When He died on the cross He put aside everything to insure us eternal life.

We should be more than grateful to do service for the Lord, to witness, and to tell anyone we can about Jesus.

Don't let your "things", whatever they may be, get you so tied up that the Lord has to become a meeting time in your yearly planner.

He had more than enough time for us. The least we could do is have time for Him.

- Author Unknown

Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

"GIVE AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU..."

A BLESSING FOR THE BODY
-
Dear God:
-
Bless my body today!
Shower every part of me with the strength of your love.
Fill every muscle, every tissue, every cell, every organ and every
system of my body with divine radiance
and health.
-
Bless my body today, God!
Bless every part of me with divine strength and wholeness.
Eliminate the ravages of self-abuse and negligent self-care.
Fill every part of me with divine light that will
restore divine order to every part of my body.
-
Bless my body today!
Strengthen my body today, God!
Strengthen my arms and legs.
Strengthen my hands and feet.
Strengthen my heart and all of the systems supported by it.
Let the healing power of your strength flow through me
to correct and eliminate all imbalance, disease and disharmony.
-
Bless my body with strength today!
I now ask for and open myself to receive renewed
wholeness, health and strength in every part of my
body. I now ask and open myself to receive divine love,
light and order in every part of my body.
-
I praise my body!
I love my body!
I give thanks for my body!
I know that my body is whole, healed and blessed!
I feel good!
My body feels good!
For this I am so grateful! Amen!

Blessings of the Day

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.

There is hunger for ordinary bread, and there is hunger for love, for kindness, for thoughtfulness; and this is the great poverty that makes people suffer so much. I believe in person to person. Every person is Christ for me, and since there is only one Jesus, that person is the one person in the world at that moment.

There is but one love of Jesus, as there is but one person in the poor -- Jesus. We take vows of chastity to love Christ with undivided love; to be able to love him with undivided love we take a vow of poverty which frees us from all material possessions, and with that freedom we can love him with undivided love, and from this vow of undivided love we surrender ourselves totally to him in the person who takes his place.

Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living _expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.

When Christ said: ''I was hungry and you fed me,'' he didn't mean only the hunger for bread and for food; he also meant the hunger to be loved. Jesus himself experienced this loneliness. He came amongst his own and his own received him not, and it hurt him then and it has kept on hurting him. The same hunger, the same loneliness, the same having no one to be accepted by and to be loved and wanted by. Every human being in that case resembles Christ in his loneliness; and that is the hardest part, that's real hunger.

Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.

Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

ATTITUDE
Author Unknown


There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror,
and noticed she had only three strands of hair on her head.

Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today?' So she did and
she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had
only two strands of hair on her head.

'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?'
So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she
had only one strand of hair on her head.

'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.' So
she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there
wasn't a single strand of hair on her head.

'YEAH!' she exclaimed, 'I don't have to fix my hair today!'

Attitude is everything.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind
of battle.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning
to dance in the rain!!!!!

Jesus Calling

March 16

It is good that you recognize your weakness. That keeps you looking to Me, your Strength. Abundant life is not necessarily health and wealth; it is living in continual dependence on Me. Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold, relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing. This mind-set will free you to enjoy Me and to find what I have planned for you to do. This is far better than trying to make things go according to your own plan.

Don’t take yourself so seriously. Lighten up and laugh with Me. You have Me on your side, so what are you worried about? I can equip you to do absolutely anything, as long as it is My will. The more difficult your day, the more I yearn to help you. Anxiety wraps you up in yourself, trapping you in your own thoughts. When you look to Me and whisper My Name, you break free and receive My help. Focus on Me, and you will find Peace in My Presence.

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
—Philippians 4:13 amp

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
—Proverbs 17:22

[lovestopaint]

Praying for Darla, hope she gets good news soon. Blessings to all.. Harlene(lovestopaint)

[lovestopaint]

Wishing you all a happy St. Patrick's Day.

Blessings to all.

Harlene(lovestoPaint)

[pinky ann]

Good Morning, DH's appointment went fine yesterday. It was just for a protyme check as he's on Warfarin.

Gloria, Hope Darla gets good news soon, and Linus continues to enjoy his visit with them.

Bobbiesue, I will pray for your anxiety. It's horrible to deal with.

Hi Harlene!

Julie, I need to remember your first post about God making a way. Also that things happen in His time, not mine. I've never heard of a gas allowance before, can you tell me where you found out about this. DH knew nothing about it when I mentioned it. Thanks! pinky

[Bobbi sue]

My blessing is that I think I have a ride tomorrow to the eye Dr. A Christian friend said she would take me. What a blessing! Another blessing is that my new TV is hooked up. My son hooked it up last night. So good to have voices in my home again. My Christian TV is back on. Thanks for the prayers. God is good.

[AnikaBrodie]

Bobbisue: Glad to hear you have a driver for your eye appointment tomorrow. My eye doctor will not allow me to drive home after I have my eyes dilated ... so this is great news. I also hope they are able to diagnose and treat your eye problem successfully. Have a great day. (((Hugs)))

[jubilant]

gloriajean and others: I posted in Prayer Request about a lady who really needs your prayers today. I just wanted to give you a heads up so people could be praying.

[gloriajean]

The Story of St. Patrick
St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints.
Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.
Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints.
There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story. ...
Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.
As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.
During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote
"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."
Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.
He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."
He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.
Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.
Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.
Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well).
Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.
He died at Saul, where he had built the first church.Happy St. Pat's Day!!

[pinky ann]

Julie, Thanks so much for further information. It was a bug help. We drive nearly an hour each way, approximately 45 miles. He will have to check into to it, and see if we qualify. Thanks again! pinky