Community Chat

[gloriajean]

We cannot go back and have a new start, but we can start now
and have a new ending. Lord, this present moment is so powerful
in my life. Guide me to use it wisely.


Scripture for the day:

"It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that
I have spoken to you are spirit and life." ~John 6:63

Meditation for the day:

Our lives are God's gift. We use our lives to train our souls. This
life we live is not so much for the body as for the spirit. We often
choose the way of life that best suits the body, not the way that best
suits the spirit. God wants us to choose what suits the spirit as well
as the body. When we accept this belief, a wonderful molding of charter
is the result. When we reject it and God's purpose for our life is
frustrated, our
spiritual progress is delayed. Our souls are being trained by the good
we choose. Thus the purpose of our lives is being accomplished as we
choose good.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may choose what is good for my spirit. I pray that I may
realize God's purpose for my life and choose good.

Greetings my friends! How was your day? I was working at Lori's all day
until 7 today - it was ok, I remembered a lot of her clients from other
years! They all remember me! She had 5 clients today - busy girl, and that's
hard work! Got two phones today - this morning one from my sister, Deil who
told me maybe I shouldn't call Sister LaDonna tonight being she moved out of
that Health Care floor to her new room - and would be busy and tired - so
thought I'd wait until tomorrow night - but here she was waiting for me to
call her, and so she called me - so we talked about an hour! She needed to
talk, and that's always good. She is feeling much better lately - tomorrow
she has her doctor's appointment. She is hardly on any pain pills anymore.
I'm tired and not much more to say so I'll just send out the inspirations
and hope more of you come back to posting again!! You are missed!

ST. NICHOLAS PRAYER

St. Nicholas, patron of children,
may this candy cane, shaped like your Bishop's staff,
be a reminder of Advent joy.

Help us prepare for the miracle of the coming of Jesus.

Help us not to be blind to the gifts of getting ready.

Help us be sincere in the greetings we send and receive,
with love and prayer.

Kind St. Nicholas, protect us from shoppers' fatigue,
help us to be kind and generous of heart.

Whereever candy canes are hung, may they bring the bright blessings of God.

Let them be reminders of the joy of sharing
and our call to be God's peaceful children as we wait for Jesus.

St. Nicholas, pray for us!

AMEN!

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Prayer to Saint Nicholas

O good Saint Nicholas, you who are the joy of the children,
put in my heart the spirit of childhood, which the Gospel speaks,
and teach me to seed happiness around me.
You, whose feast prepares us for Christmas,
open my faith to the mystery of God made man.

You, bishop and shepherd,
help me to find my place in the Church.

O good Saint Nicholas, patron of this parish,
watch over those who come to this church to pray to Jesus,
your Lord and theirs,
as well as over those who humble [themselves to you],
Today I confide in you.

AMEN.

Mary, Help of Those in Need


"Mary, Help of Those in Need" was formerly the Magnificat antiphon from the
Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Evening Prayer.


Holy Mary,
help those in need,
give strength to the weak,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for God's people,
assist the clergy,
intercede for religious.

Mary all who seek your help
experience your unfailing protection.
Amen.

THE BIBLE & THE COAL BASKET
Author Unknown


The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains
of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was
up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out
Bible.


His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in
any way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the
Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do
understand I forget as
soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?" The
Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said,
"Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of
water." The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked
out before he could get back to the house.


The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little
faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to
try again.


This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he
returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was
"impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket
instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a
basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough,"
and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point,
the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather
that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out
before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but
when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.


Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"


"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that
the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it
was clean. "Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You
might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it
will change you from the inside out.


That is the work of God in our lives.


To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the
image of His son.


Take time to read a portion of God's word each day.

From Fasting To Feasting

Fast from judging others;
Feast on seeing the best in people.

Fast from emphasis on differences;
Feast on the unity of life.

Fast from despair;
Feast on hope.

Fast from thoughts of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that destroy;
Feast on phrases that are encouraging.

Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.

Fast from being negative;
Feast on being positive.

Fast from worry;
Feast on trust.

Fast from complaining;
Feast on appreciation.

Fast from hostility;
Feast on peacemaking.

Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from constant activity;
Feast on slowing down.

Fast from disrespect;
Feast on recognizing the sacred in all life.

Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion for others.

- Author Unknown

FIVE WAYS TO HAVE A MORE JOYFUL CHRISTMAS


1. STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN:

If you discover yourself becoming dulled to the joys of the season, STOP!
Slow the pace down and become still, taking time to LOOK and LISTEN. Take a
winter walk, curl up in a favorite chair or before the fireplace. Helen
Keller once observed, "The seeing see little." So feel the comfort of the
glow of a candle, or the red of the poinsettias. Listen with new ears to
laughter and bells, and to the expression of love of found in the story of
the first Christmas.

2. BE WILLING TO BE SURPRISED:

Remember that God can come in the least likely ways - a Holy Child born in a
village stable, a brightly shining star, an angel song in the night sky.
Watch for Him to come in equally surprising ways to you, too. When we live
as if God is going to "surprise" us at any moment, in any way, in any place,
then He usually does!

3. FIND WAYS TO ANTICIPATE CHRISTMAS:

How about keeping an advent calendar? Commit yourself to perform at least
one special act of kindness for each day of advent. Write a note, letter,
card or e-mail to someone to express your gratitude, to tell someone you
love them, to forgive an old hurt, or just to count your blessings.

4. FREE YOUR CHILDLIKE SPIRIT:

Jesus held up childlikeness as a quality to be cultivated (Mark 10:15).
Children are experts at dreaming up simple things as delights that adults
don't, or have forgotten how to do. Can't you picture a little boy singing
"Jingle Bells" to a plastic Jesus in a store? Christmas often comes in
precious moments like this, when we spontaneously show our adoration for the
Baby in the manger.

5. SHARE THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS WITH SOMEONE ELSE:

Nothing multiplies the sense of wonder in your life like giving it away.
The more you share (not just things, but yourself) the brighter Christmas
grows.

I hope that these simple steps will help you, or someone you can share these
with, keep the wonder and excitement of Christmas alive during this busy
season.

Just remember that "Jesus is the reason for the season."

My Christmas Pledge

I Promise . . .

I. To make my Christmas a holy day with Christ-----not a holiday without
Him.
2. To observe Christmas as the birthday of Christ-----not a day to give and
receive material gifts.
3. To remember that the real symbols of Christmas are the Star, the Stable
and the Crib-----not Santa Claus and his reindeer.
4. To teach my children that "Santa Claus" is the nickname of St.
Nicholas-----who gave to the poor in honor of Christ.
5. To help one poor family-----in honor of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Holy
Family of Bethlehem.
6. To send Christmas cards remindful of Him, the Infant Savior-----not
decorated only with candy canes, dogs, ribbons and wreaths.
7. To make room in my home for Him-----with a Christmas Crib to remind me
that He was born in a stable.
8. During the Christmas season, in a special way, to honor Mary, His
mother-----who kept the first Christmas vigil beside the manger.
9. To begin Christmas by leading my family to His altar-----to receive the
Bread of Life.
10. Today and every day, to give "Glory to God in the highest"-----to work
and pray for "Peace on earth to men of good will".

Prayer while Shopping during Advent

Dear God, as I look through my gift shopping list, I hold up to you each
person listed on it. Slowly, one by one, I ask that the fire of your
abundant love burn within each of them. I pray that the gift I find for
each person will bring joy into that life.
But, help me to keep a balance this season, Lord. Let me keep my buying in
perspective, not to spend more than I need to or can afford. Let me not
give in to the pressures of this world and not equate love with money spent.
Let me always remember the many, many people who have so much less in
material things. Help me to buy wisely, so that my choices will not burden
those in other countries who are so deeply affected by this country's
economy.

And finally, loving God, help me to find time in the frantic moments of each
day to become centered on you. Walking through a store, riding on the bus,
hurrying down a street: let each of these times be moments when I can
remember your incredible love for me and rejoice in it.

Good night all - Sweet Dreams - may your tomorrow be filled with peace and
blessings. God bless you!