Community Chat

[gloriajean]

When life seems hard and filled with troubles, look for reasons to be thankful.
Lord, Your beautiful presence is always with me.

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

"Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:20-21

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

The world wonders when it sees a person who can unexpectedly draw large and
unsuspected sums from the bank for some emergency. But what the world has
not seen is the countless small sums paid into that bank, earned by faithful
work over a long time. And so it is with the bank of the spirit. The world
sees the person of faith make a demand on God's stores of power and the
demand is met. The world does not see what that person has been putting in,
in thanks and praise, in prayer and communion, in small good deeds done
faithfully, steadily over the years.

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

I pray that I may keep making deposits in God's bank. I pray that I may
always remember the reserve I have built up and the willingness of God to
give me all that I need.

Hello my friends! Hope your day went well. It was just an ordinary snowy day here for me. Watching the weather, I stayed in, Linus blowed out the driveway and went to work, it wasn't that bad going to work, but on Facebook last night I saw my niece who's a nurse say that it was so bad driving home that she could hardly see her exit! She was so grateful to be home! She lives quite a ways from the hospital she works at too. It's still snowing, and poor Sammy has a hard time to find the perfect spot! Tomorrow Linus will make a path for him in the back yard. The snow covered his little legs - he just stood there wondering what to do next! Finally he got the idea it wasn't going to get any better so he might as well just go. On the news it showed kids and their parents having a good time sledding! I used to like that too back in the day when I lived on the farm. My blessings to day was no bad traveling for Linus to go to work today - and Sammy didn't have any accidents in the house, he never does. Just saw on Facebook that Lori started packing for her Texas trip for her birthday weekend going to see Darla. She leaves on her birthday - we take her out for lunch yet. She'll get out of the snow for awhile. It's always fun to see my girls and nephews and nieces on Facebook and the pictures they post. That's a blessing to me - and I can even chat with them there, too. I don't often, but I did a few times.

Homily of the Day


February 21, 2011


Don´t Be a Helpless Pawn to Your Demons
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Sir 1:1-10 / Mk 9:14-29

For those of us who think ourselves ever so modern as we stand here in the new millennium, it’s easy to scoff at stories about demons and to conjure up pictures of little red men with horns and pointed tails. But to do that is foolhardy, for the reality of evil in the world is not to be sniffed at, and our struggle with it is undeniable and lifelong.

Each of us has our own “demons,” our own disabling soul-wounds and compulsions which seek to rob us of our freedom and to drive us in directions that do not lead to life. To fail to recognize them and to acknowledge the full extent of their power over us is to make ourselves their willing victims and their helpless pawns.

But that need not happen. Our alternative is to ask the Spirit who dwells within us to help us see those inner “demons” clearly and to see where they are leading us, indeed, driving us. And that is away from life, love, and communion. The next step is to give ourselves into the hands of the Spirit, just as the boy’s father did in the gospel. ”I do believe,” he said. ”Help my lack of trust!”

That kind of prayer the Spirit always answers. And step by step He will lead us out of slavery’s darkness and into freedom’s light.

When we give it free rein, the Spirit’s power always prevails.

Short Meditation


Ask for Love

Spend time alone with Jesus.
He has called you, you belong to him,
and he will give you his heart
to love him if you ask.


from Thirsting for God: Mother Teresa

Practice Living in the Spirit

Step One - Being Good
In accord with the laws of God, we need to try and be good, live uprightly, and never take advantage of others. Jesus tells us that: “Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them” (Matthew 7:12). The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that: “Human virtues . . . govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good” (CCC, 1804).

Step Two - Learning To Walk in the Spirit
In chapter 16 of Mathew’s Gospel (and chapter 8 of Mark’s), we read of two moments when Peter tried to do the good and right thing. On one occasion, he was told — it is of God. On the next occasion, he was told — it is of Satan. In time, Peter learned to discern the difference between what is of God and what is not of God. How? Through prayer and through examination and reflection on his thoughts, actions, and decisions. We need to pray and try to stay as close as we can to God. We need to try and sense what God might be trying to say to us. This is why we need to watch our behavior. I am sure that Peter’s ability to discern and differentiate good from bad was closely linked to his own prayer relationship with God, the grace of the Spirit, and Peter’s efforts to reflect on the way he thinks and acts in light of the words and teachings of Jesus.

Step Three - Experimentation
Finally, we need to try and seek the messages of the Spirit. The Spirit will speak to us — through sensing him in our hearts; through sensing him as we read the Scripture; through sensing him as we attend Mass, receive the Eucharist, and pray; through sensing him as we examine our lives and repent for any wrongdoing. God can and does speak to us — we just need to learn how to set our eyes on him, be open to his words, and be changed by them. We need to try and ask the Spirit to guide us.

IF YOU...
Author Unknown


The Savior's words...

**If you never felt pain,
Then how would you know that I'm a Healer?

**If you never went through difficulty,
How would you know that I'm a Deliverer?

**If you never had a trial,
How could you call yourself an overcomer?

**If you
never felt sadness,
How would you know that I'm a Comforter?

**If you
never made a mistake,
How would you know that I'm forgiving?

**If you knew all,
How would you know that I will answer your questions?

**If you never were in trouble,
How would you know that I will come to your rescue?

**If you never were broken,
Then how would you know that I can make you whole?

**If you never had a problem,
How would you know that I can solve them?

**If you never had any suffering,
Then how would you know what I went through?

**If you never went through the fire,
Then how would you become pure?

**If I gave you all things,
How would you appreciate them?

**If I never corrected you,
How would you know that I love you?

**If you had all power,
Then how would you learn to depend on me?

**If your life was perfect,
Then what would you need Me for?

For life to be fullest, sweetest and rewarding:

-Do more than move; improve.
-Do more than get; give.
-Do more than regret; repent.
-Do more than look; see.
-Do more than sympathize; help.
-Do more than attend church; worship.
-Do more than have children; rear them.
-Do more than build a house; make a home.
-Do more than breathe; LIVE
-Do more than live; LOVE

Live today so that you will make life better for those around you.
You will end up making your life better too.

Lord, You teach that it is in giving that I receive.
May I always have a generous spirit. Amen.

- - -
Galatians 6:9 - So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest.

The Greatness of Prayer

Prayer is joy,
prayer is love,
prayer is peace.
You cannot explain it,
you must experience prayer.
It is not impossible.
God gives it for the asking.
"Ask and you shall receive."
The father knows what to give his children
- how much more our heavenly
Father knows.


- BL. MOTHER TERESA -

THE VISITOR
Author Unknown
February 21, 2011


One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his
car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told
him, "I always park there. You took my place!"


The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and
sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated,
"That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat
distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.


After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and
sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I
always sit. You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by
this treatment, but still said nothing.


Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them,
the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars
became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the
congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"


The visitor replied, "I took your place."

Closing Prayer:

Give Me Strength...

Grant me strength, Dear Lord, I pray,
Control my life, don't let me stray.
When I feel angered, help me see,
That I can place my trust in Thee.

When I feel I'm sinking low,
Hold me, Lord, don't let go.
Don't let Satan have his way,
For I know he'd lead me astray.

Make me strong when I feel weak,
Let my ears listen when You speak.
Let not my faith diminish in Thee,
But save my soul and set me free.

Forgive me when I start to doubt
What faith and trust are all about.
Hold me Lord, in the darkest night,
Take away my fear and fright.

May Your voice be one, I always hear,
Saying to me, "I'm always near".
"I'll walk with you and guide you well,
But you My child, must not rebel".

Lord, I love you, forgive my fears,
Please dry my eyes from all these tears.
May I always place my trust in You,
Remembering, Lord, You've always been true.

(Ruth Ann Mahaffey)

- - -
Galatians 6:9 - So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest.

Good night everyone! Sweet Dreams to all and may you all have a good Tuesday filled with many blessings all thru the day! Enjoy the Gift of God's Day! Post your blessings, which is what this is all about, but if you just need a hug and prayer - we are here to you! God Bless You!