Community Chat

[gloriajean]

When you wonder what you should do, ask yourself what the Lord would do and you can't go wrong. Lord, make me more like You every day.

Scripture for the Day

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." — Matthew 5:43-48

Meditation for the Day

I can practice love, because lack of love will block the way. I can try to see good in all people, those I like and those who fret me and go against the grain. They are all children of God. I can try to give love; otherwise, how can I dwell in God's spirit from which nothing unloving can come? I can try to get along with all people, because the more love I give away, the more I will have.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may do all I can to love others, in spite of their many faults. I pray that as I love, so will I be loved.

Hello my friends! How was your day? Hope you all were able to keep warm and cozy and if on the roads, safe. I had a real nice unexpected blessing phone call today from our friend, Ester, in California, remember two summers ago we went there to see her and her husband? She also goes to the Philippines as she has nephews and nieces there and built herself a house there, but she's been back home in Cal. since Thanksgiving and will be staying until June. So I can call her more now, thought she was in the Phillipines. She and her husband were born there. It was so nice to hear her voice!! Another blessing was we got to have Lori home for lunch today. I made a new recipe from the GI Index cookbook - chicken breasts with quinoa. Well, it turned out very good and she loved it!! Both she and Linus loved the lunch, so guess I'll put a star on that recipe! You cook the quinoa first, then saute onion, garlic, red pepper, put the chicken breasts in and I cooked it on the stove in the frying pan. Then it was put over the quinoa. I also served some green beans - I used frozen, never buy the canned. Lori had gotten new tires put on her car, so Linus had to pick her up for lunch, and she waited for them to call when the car was ready, oh, there was something else wrong with the car too that needed fixing. It's a 2000 impala - so it's getting older by the minute. She may be having to get a different car in the near future if this keeps breaking down. Well I blabbed enough about my day and I'm anxious to hear about your blessings - all are different - all are great to hear about.

Homily of the Day

February 2, 2011
Surviving the Etceteras of Life
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Mal 3:1-4 / Heb 2:14-18 / Lk 2:22-40

In ancient Rome in the days of Nero some poor Christian was being chased around the coliseum by a ferocious lion. The faster he ran, the faster the lion ran. Eventually, it was obvious that the end was near, so the poor fellow fell to his knees and prayed aloud, “Dear Lord, make this lion a Christian!”
With that, the lion fell to his knees and began to pray, “Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive….” The end WAS near!
* * *
Recently there appeared in the newspaper a cartoon depicting a prophet of doom with a long beard and flowing robes and a sign that read: “The end is NOT near. You’ll have to learn to cope!”
+ + +
Sometimes the lions really are chasing us. But most of the time what we face are not lions but the numbing et ceteras of life, the little things that have to be done, and done well, over and over. Lawns don’t stay mowed. Taxes don’t stay paid. Perfect roofs don’t stay perfect. And as every child knows, homework doesn’t stay done.
“A mother’s work is never done,” goes the old saying. Quite true, but neither is anyone else’s work ever done! And after a while, when the novelty has worn off and year follows upon year, we can get worn down. We can lose heart and be tempted to give up or run away.
So how do we keep going — not just surviving, putting one foot in front of the other? How do we keep moving forward with spirit, glad that we’re alive? The old man Simeon in today’s Gospel gives us a clue. When Mary and Joseph showed up at the temple to present their new baby to the Lord, Simeon took little Jesus tenderly in his arms and whispered, “I knew you’d come! I knew it!”
It was that knowing that kept Simeon alive on the inside across those many years. It was that knowing that gave every day of his life joy and energy. And how had he known? The Gospel says the Holy Spirit had been with him from the beginning. He’d never walked alone, and so he knew from the inside that God could never abandon his people — not even one of them.
The Spirit is knocking softly at our inner door, offering us the same energy, the same quiet joy that carried Simeon all the way to the end of his good life.
The Spirit is knocking. Open the door, and walk alone no more!
Total Surrender
Just think of almighty God in the womb of Mary, locked in.
He had to cling helplessly to his mother.
This was the total surrender of Christ.
from Thirsting for God: Mother Teresa
Just a Little Bit of Love
Just a little bit of love,
How bright it made the day
The burdened heart was lighter
And sweeter seemed the day.
Just a little bit of love,
And gloomy thoughts were gone,
The rosy hues of morning
With each reflection shone.
Just a little bit of love,
The trembling hand was strong
And nerved to win the battle,
Although the fight was long.
Just a little bit of love,
And wondrous is its power
To strengthen, bless and gladden
In every needy hour.
- - -
1 John 4:16 - God is love, and whoever lives in love lives in union with God and God lives in union with him.

STAYING FAITHFUL
There was once a certain man who walked out into the middle of a field where he would not be interrupted by anyone. He raised his arms toward heaven, then with tears streaming down his face, trembling with fear, he began to shout. He, with all the strength in his being shouted out to God saying
"I just can't take it anymore. I have been used, abused, beaten, cursed, laughed at, lied to, and sneered on. I have tried to love exactly how You asked me to. I have turned the other cheek hundreds, even a thousand times until my cheeks ache. I have given even when I had to borrow so another might survive. I have prayed and cried for many who do not know You God. Oh God...I am tired, worn out, and discouraged trying to fight the evil that buffets my soul. I feel You have turned from me God, I feel like this is more than I can do! God, do You really even care!"
Then he heard a voice speak softly within his troubled heart. The voice said,
"Yes I am here, I have never left. You know nothing of how many souls have watched you in your struggles, your pain, and your perseverance. You know nothing of how many souls have turned to Me because you have stood against the wiles of evil, not breaking, but standing firm. Many have seen your pain because of your testimony of Me and they will stand without excuse before Me because of your life before them!"
The voice continued within this man and said, "If I ask of too much pain from you for the sake of other souls, then go into your house and do nothing; I will find another who is willing to give for the sake of lost souls. I will find another who will walk through the suffering and pain even as I allowed pain and suffering in Paul, Peter, and all those who went into this world of sickness and evil so others might know Me!"
The man fell upon his face ashamed and then the love of God lifted him to his feet. He looked up to heaven as his entire being began to experience a refreshing and a new strength. He whispered,
"Lord, I am ready to go back and love; even unto death." And as he walked away,
he heard a voice say,
"Well done My faithful friend."
------------------------------------
There are moments in life when we feel that we have reached our limits with the trials and tribulations of life. It is important that we remember that God has given us a special strength to endure and persevere and continue on despite these hardships that befall us. I encourage you to gird yourself up and recognize God's strength that lies within your spirit and be determined never to give in or give up. God has you in the palms of His hand and nothing by any means shall be able to overtake you. Rest in this promise and know that God is with you. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10) (Psalm
91:2-4)...
Never allow the enemy to discourage your heart and make you feel like giving up on being a witness and an example of the Lord. Your reward in eternity will greatly outweigh this light affliction that seems so great right now.

Closing Prayer: We like this prayer - we say it together almost every morning!

A Scriptural Morning Prayer

Praise and honor to You, O' Blessed Trinity: Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit!
Praise, Honor, and Adoration!
Be exalted, O' God of Gods!
O' King of Kings! O' Holy One! O' Mighty One! O' God of all Mercies and of Love beyond comprehension!
I entrust to you my life.
This day I lay before you all my circumstances and all that I encounter.
"A man's heart plans out his way, but it is the Lord who makes his steps secure." (Prov. 16:9}
Lord, order this day so it will give you glory and be in keeping with your holy will for me.
For Jesus came to do the will of His Father and to give you glory. (Jn. 6:38)
I pray not only for myself, but also for all whom you have given me to love, especially ____________.
Pour into our hearts, O' Lord, for the oil of gladness and clothe us in a garment of praise (Is. 61:3) that we may rejoice in you all day and give you a sacrifice of praise (Jer. 17:26) in all the circumstances.
I thank you and praise you, my Lord, for the truth that sets us free. (Jn. 8:32) Do not let me/us be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Rom. 12:1,2 Eph. 4:23,24) Ground me/us in your truth and establish me/us on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Reveal to me the hidden stones and idols of my heart (Ez. 36:25-27) that I may repent and return to you with all of my heart. (Ps. 51) I pray for humility to believe as Mary did that the promises spoken to her would be fulfilled; (Lk. 1:45) and the interior gifts to ponder as she did the action of God in all circumstances. (Lk. 2:19) I pray also for the readiness to respond quickly as Joseph and Mary did to the lead and promptings of the Holy Spirit. (Mt. 1:24; 2:14)
Thank you, Father God, for the love of the Holy Spirit that is poured into our hearts in Christ Jesus. A love that builds us up in hope, a hope that does not disappoint. (Rm. 5:5) I pray for that peace that surpasses all understanding; your peace that binds us together in love and preserves the unity of the Spirit. (Eph. 4:3) Cause me to walk in that peace each day. "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee..." (Is. 26:3)
Each morning awaken me to listen as a disciple. Grant me an attentive ear to listen in sincerity and integrity of heart, to follow you faithfully. Lead me into deep worship and daily study of your Word.
I pray for a disciple's tongue. Cause me to know how to reply to the wearied. Put a guard at my mouth to speak as a godly woman/man, to speak that which will edify and encourage, to speak the truth in love. (Js. 1:26, Prov. 10:11+;13:3, Si. 28:14)
Thank you Jesus, that I may come before you, united in intercession to and with Mary, Joseph, and all the heavenly community, particularly St. ____________. I present to you, my God, all my needs and those of my family, friends, all You have given me to love. Wash us in the precious tide of your mercy, the blood and life giving waters that flow from the pierced side of Jesus. (Zc. 13:1) Cause us to rely on your armor (Eph. 6:10-18) that we may be able to stand firm, united in faith (Phil. 1:27,28; Heb. 4:14) and not falter in times of hardship. For in due season we will see the victory of our God and will have a testimony of praise, to give Him glory and to defeat the works of the enemy. (Rev. 12:11) Encircle us, O' God, with your protection. (Ps. 3:3) St. Michael the archangel, defend us in the day of battle.
I present to You, O' Lord, the needs of the whole Church; the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II; my diocese, parish, and all pastors and laborers in your kingdom. I further entrust to you the needs of my neighborhood, city, and nation; as well as the nations of the world. Cause those in leadership to exercise it in a godly manner. (1 Tim. 2:1) I pray especially for ____________.
In the name of Jesus, I pray for a renewal of the Holy Spirit--His fountain of life giving water, to spring up within, and a release of His fire, His gifts, and the evidence of His fruits within me and the lives of all for whom I pray.
Praise, Glory, and Adoration be unto You, O' Lord of Lords!
Amen! Amen! Amen!

Good night and God bless you all! May you all have Sweet Dreams and a new day to refresh you filled with God's special blessings!
Praying for all of you for all your intentions!