Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Making decisions is not difficult if we know our values. Lord, bless me
with the ability to know myself and the strength of good conscience.

Scripture for the day:

"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes
refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge." ~Psalm 57:1

Meditation for the day:

God can irradiate our lives with the warmth of God's spirit. We can open up
like a flower to this divine irradiation. We can loosen our hold on the
earth, its cares and its worries. We can unclasp our hold on material
things, relax our grip, and the tide of peace and serenity can flow in. We
can relinquish every material thing and receive it back again from God.
We need not hold on to the earth's treasures so firmly that our hands are
too occupied to clasp God's hand as God holds it out to us in love.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may be open to receive God's blessing. I pray that I may be
willing to relinquish my hold on material things and receive them back from
God.

Greetings my friends! What a wonderful day it was today!! Lori even went
for a bike ride - in Jan. in MN! A blessing day to be sure! Also Linus had
a good day at work - it wasn't too hard and he got a lot done. Now he's off
until Monday and tomorrow he will be visiting his cousin with his brother -
the one who lost her son to suicide. They thought that was more important
than fishing now, and it is, of course. This lady lost in the last three
years, a husband, a mother, a brother and two sons. She had eleven kids so
has lots of family around though which is good. Today was a day to catch up
with emails, so I did! Got a nice email from Sister LaDonna this morning -
so nice to hear from her on emails now but hope to soon hear she sleeps
better! Tonight at nine is my turn to call her so it'll be nice to chat
with her again too. Been emailing a former classmate from Alaska, who
didn't know about Father Bernard's death, he was her first cousin too. So
we've been emailing more and I sent her the obit thru email. Remember to
keep Carmela and Onthebay in your prayers, Jodi, too. All of our MIA people
are so missed!


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Healing and Embracing All

Christ healed everyone who came to him, even when they did not ask.
He was the mightiest man on earth and he killed no one, passed judgment on
no one but hypocrites,
and died on a cross with the request to us to give up all we have and to
follow him, be like him.
Being like Christ means embracing lepers and living without power and
position.

January 10, 2012

"Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for
cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness."

-- St. John Chrysostom

For Reflection:

Am I worried? Down-hearted? Unhappy or despondent? While there could be
other reasons, is it possible that my emotional disposition is related to a
lack of prayer? How have these words of St. John Chrysostom proven true at
other times in my life? What resolution does this lead me to make?

THE LITTLEST FIREFIGHTER
Author Unknown


The 26-year-old mother stared down at her son who was dying of
terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she
also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent she wanted
her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer
possible. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her
son's dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy,
did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did
you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"

"Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled
back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."

Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix,
Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix.
She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible
to give her six year old son a ride around the block on a fire
engine.

Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have
your son ready at seven 'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an
honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire
station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine
yards! "And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform
for him, with a real fire hat -- not a toy one -- with the emblem of
the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and
rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we
can get them fast."

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his fire
uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and
ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer
it back to the fire station. He was in heaven.. There were three fire
calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls.
He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van, and even
the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news
program.

Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was
lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months
longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the
head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die
alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.

Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman, so she
called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a
fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his
transition. The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be
there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear
the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce
over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire
department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And
will you open the window to his room? About five minutes later a hook
and ladder truck arrived at the hospital, extended its ladder up to
Billy's third floor open window and 16 firefighters climbed up the
ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged
him and held him and told him how much they loved him.

With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said,
"Chief, am I really a fireman now?"

"Billy, you are," the chief said.

With those words, Billy smiled and closed his eyes one last time.

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

(Joseph Scriven 1819-1886)

Just for today, Lord

I will live through the next 12 hours and not try to tackle all of life's
problems at once.

I will improve my mind. I will learn something useful. I will learn
something that requires effort, thought, and concentration.

I will be agreeable. I will look my best, speak in well-modulated voice, be
courteous and considerate.

I will not find fault with friend, relative or colleague. I will not try to
change or improve anyone other than myself.

I will have a program. I might not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I
will save myself from two enemies, hurry and indecision.

I will do a good turn and keep it secret. If anyone finds out, it won't
count.

I will do two things I don't want to do. Just for exercise.

I will believe in myself. I will give my best to the world and feel
confident that the world will give it's best to me.

When things go wrong ...


When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do not quit.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.

"Don't Quit,"

Author Unknown

HE IS THE GREAT I AM!
Author Unknown
January 10, 2012


He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him,
and The leaders can't ignore Him.

Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him,
and The people couldn't hold Him!

Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him,
and Donahue can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.

He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.

He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy, He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful, the ancient of days,
the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders,
the overseer of the overcomers, and the sovereign Lord
of all that was and is and is to come.

And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, never forsake me,
Never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me,
and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody, everywhere,
every time, and every way.

He is God,
He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven can whip the father
of this world. So, if you're wondering why I
feel so secure, understand this...

He said it and that settles it.
God is in control,
I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul.

Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!

Let us all remember that every day of our lives there are many things to be
grateful for! Many things we take for granted! May God grant you all you
desire and be with you all in all that you do! God bless you and Good
night!