Community Chat

[gloriajean]

It is easier to see another's faults than it is to see your own. Lord, help me
sit in judgment of only myself and guide me in my attempts at overcoming
my weaknesses.

Scripture for the day:

Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give
thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence
and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire. ~Hebrews 12:28-29

Meditation for the day:

Whenever we seek to worship God, we think of the great universe that
God rules over, of creation, of mighty law and order throughout the
universe. Then we feel the awe that precedes worship. I too can feel
awe, feel the desire to worship God in wondering amazement. My mind is
in a box of space and time and it is so made that I cannot conceive of
what is beyond space or time, the limitless and the eternal. But I
know that there must be something beyond space and time, and that something
must be the limitless and eternal Power behind the universe. I also
know that I can experience that Power in my life.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may accept the limitless and eternal Spirit. I pray that
it may express itself in my life.

Peace of Jesus be yours, my friends! How was your day? Just an ordinary one here except that we finally got our AC fixed so that was a great blessing!! I made some raspberry and some cherry muffins this morning - wonderful! I used the fruits instead of raisins. Linus made chicken on the grill after work today - and I dug some potatoes and cooked them, so good right from the garden. Also I made some fresh beans from the garden! All those blessings from God above!! So grateful for our garden, and fruits etc. - as this may be our last summer here so we'll enjoy it to the fullest!!

Homily of the Day
July 26, 2011
Don´t Shoot from the Hip!
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9 / Mt 13:36-43
Experience teaches us that things are not always as they seem, and it often takes considerable time to discern what is good and true and what is not. How fleeting are so many of our friendships, our political beliefs, our values and preferences. Our “deeply-held” convictions can sometimes have a half-life of mere days or weeks.
Growing in wisdom involves a winnowing and sorting process which takes time. And the taking of that time is what Jesus is urging upon us in today’s gospel. How can we know what is really a “weed” or really good “grain?” We can’t in the beginning. We have to let them grow to maturity and bear fruit. “By their fruits you shall know them,” and those fruits are often a surprise.
So take your time before passing judgment. Don’t “shoot from the hip.” Too many good things have died that way!

The Unforgettable Ride
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. It was a cowboy's life,
a life for someone who wanted no boss. What I didn't realize was that it was
also a ministry. Because I drove the night shift, my cab became a moving
confessional. Passengers climbed in, sat behind me in total anonymity, and
told me about their lives. I encountered people whose lives amazed me,
ennobled me, made me laugh and weep. But none touched me more than a woman I
picked up late one August night. I was responding to a call from a small
brick fourplex in a quiet part of town.
I assumed I was being sent to pick up some partiers, or someone who had
just had a fight with a lover, or a worker heading to an early shift at some
factory for the industrial part of town. When I arrived at 2:30 am., The
building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under
these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a
minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who
depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation
smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be
someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the
door and knocked.
"Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear
something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door
opened. A small woman in her 80s stood before me. She was wearing a print
dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a
1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as
if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with
sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the
counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and
glassware. "Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the
suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and
we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way
would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When
we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive
through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh,
don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".
I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't
have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have
very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route
would you like me to take?" I asked. For the next two hours, we drove
through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an
elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her
husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a
furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing
as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building
or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said,
"I'm tired. Let's go now." We drove in silence to the address she had
given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a
driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as
soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every
move.
They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small
suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How
much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered.
"There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent
and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a
little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."
I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind
me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up
any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought.
For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had
gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I
had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a
quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my
life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great
moments. But great moments often catch us unaware--beautifully wrapped in
what others may consider a small one.
Gone to Fathers house to prepare your place, will be back soon to pick you up.
I want the voice of the Lord to be the 1st voice I hear in the morning & his is the last voice I want to hear at night.
My entire theology can be condensed into four words: "Jesus died for me"-- C.H. Spurgeon
The road to heaven is narrow- but wide enough for Jesus to walk with you.
You will not stumble while on your knees.
A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't.
The one who walks with the Lord may be lonely on occasion but never alone.
The most powerful weapon in earth is the human soul on fire for God.
God is never in a hurry, but he is never late. -- Dr. John McCormick
The Lord doesn't take you into deep water to drown us but to develop us.
A Well read Bible is the sign of a well fed soul.
You can't start a fire without a spark...

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Author Unknown
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DIRECTIONS:
The only way to the Father is through the Son
PRICE:
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COMMUNITY:
Friendly angelic neighbors.
Great family and friends.
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BONUS:
Crown of stars, new luxurious robe and golden slippers with matching
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Bring a friend and get a reward.
For more information, call your local agent or representative -
Name, address and phone number listed below.
NAME: Jesus Christ
ADDRESS: Repent Highway and Streets of Gold
PHONE: Dial John 3:16

Prayer For Strength and Wisdom
Lord,
Give me strength and wisdom
to live this day as I ought.
Give me strength...
to overcome every temptation which may come to me,
to do well every task which is assigned to me,
to shoulder every responsibility which is laid upon my shoulders.
Give me wisdom...
to know when to speak and when to keep silent,
to know when to act and when to refrain from action,
to know when to speak my mind and when to hold my peace.
So bring me to the end of this day
in goodness,
in happiness
and in peace. Amen.

PERSONAL PRAYER
Jesus, help me to see clearly how far my emotions hold me back from you. Help me, Lord to understand what holds me back. Let me see why I tend to become distracted, tired and vaguely uncomfortable in my religious activities. With this knowledge I may be better able to reconstruct my mistaken notions, attitudes and feelings concerning you. Lord Jesus, sometimes I too have reason to exclaim: "I believe; help my unbelief!" However, I will not hesitate to affirm my faith and trust in you, regardless of my feelings. Feelings of anxiety and doubt will be no surprise to me, nor will they make me ashamed of myself. They are old habits, and will probably remain with me, in some measure, all through life. I do believe, Lord! Help me prove it in action. Amen.

Good night everyone - Sweet Dreams and God bless your Wednesday!