Hello my friends! Another beautiful day here to be grateful for! I've been busy cleaning out drawers ever since I got a call from my cousin, Father Jerry, who wants me to find some pictures of my uncles, priests, cousin, priest and two nuns who are Aunts, I found everything except for one nun. Please help me pray I find that one. He's coming over on Friday night to go through the pictures. I found lots of stuff but not her picture. Doggonit! Shorelady shared her dear husband has passed on to Eternity - let us keep her in prayer and comfort - he is in no more pain now, but we also should pray for his soul. Also Bird Mama mentioned someone who jumped to his death, let us pray for his soul, too. So sad! In the Bible in Maccabees it says it is a good and wholesome thing to pray for the dead. So we do. Praying for all of you, my dear friends, as always, for all of your needs. God be with you all.
The choices we make will affect our lives for better or for worse. Lord, You
have given me all that I need to make wise choices. May I always take time
to listen to You.
Scripture for the day:
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the
mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and
foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult." ~Psalm 46:1-3
Meditation for the day:
We can constantly claim God's strength. Once convinced of the right
of a course of action, once reasonably sure of God's guidance, we can
claim that strength. We can claim all the strength we need to meet
any situation. We can claim a new supply when our own supply is
exhausted. We have a right to claim it and we can use this right. A
beggar supplicates, a son appropriates. When we supplicate, we can be
kept waiting, but when we appropriate God's strength in a good cause,
we can have it at once.
Prayer for the day:
I pray that I may claim God's strength whenever I need it. I pray
that I may try to live as a child of God.
A Moment’s Breathing Prayer
Surrender to God’s help by breathing in God’s healing power ... extend
inhalation. Receive God’s peace by exhaling all worries and stress – extend
exhalation.
Breath in what I need from God
Breathe out impurities that harm my soul
Breathe in God’s love
Breathe out any self hatred
Breathe in God’s forgiveness
Breathe out self hurt
Breathe in God’s peace
Breathe out anxiety
Breathe in Jesus’ compassion
Breathe out my pride
Breathe in God’s confidence
Breathe out my doubts and uncertainties
Breathe in God’s clarity
Breathe out confusion
Breathe in God’s peace
Breathe out my fears
Breathe in peace ..... exhale
Breathe in peace ..... exhale
Breathe in peace ..... exhale.
(Tolle Lege; Augustinian Historical Commission, 1997, used with permission.)
Hi Shadow! Thanks for coming back here! Thought you forgot about our
thread!You've been missed! Sounds like you've been real busy painting! Our
blossoms from our trees are in full bloom now and the smell is awesome in
our porch!
Sherron - I pray you can find someone, a neighbor, or good friend who can do
those chores for you. Ask Our Lord for help and He will provide it. Watch
for it.
When I got home tonight - there was a message from Mae, our mutual friend
with Connie and she was to see her today and she didn't look good at all.
She is being moved to a nursing home tomorrow. Mae doesn't think Connie will
ever get home again. Connie tried to call me on her cell from the hospital,
but she didn't leave a message, and it was too late for me to call her so
I'll try to call her in the morning. She probably wanted to let me know
she's going to the nursing home tomorrow.
Here's some inspirations:
SAYING GOODBYE
By George Prins
May 20 2009
It was hard to see him go that September morning. He was so excited
about meeting new opportunities at the university. We felt like our
nest was almost empty.
I remembered the time I wanted to take my three-year-old son on an
afternoon trip for some father-son bonding. I tried to share with him
many particulars of the surroundings through which we traveled. I felt
exhausted. He didn't say anything. A big truck was now passing us. He
said, "Beeg tuck!" That was all he said that afternoon. We still laugh
over that story.
Another time I was trying to teach him to catch the ball. He always
wanted to hold his glove down so it was hard for him to catch the
balls flying over his waist. I encouraged him to hold the glove up,
then backed up and threw the ball. The glove suddenly pointed downward
and the ball hit him square in the eye. He had a real shiner for the
next week or so. Now he throws the baseball further than I can. Many
more memories came to me as he left for the university. He was not
really ours anymore... or was he?
Saying goodbye is always hard. It would be especially hard if a family
member died. That goodbye is so final. A divorce is a strange goodbye
because it kills your self-esteem as well. You wonder what you did
wrong. In that way, a suicide is like a divorce; it kills the soul of
a person.
One of the hardest goodbyes recorded in history is when Jesus Christ
cried out, "My God, why have you forsaken me!" A few minutes later, he
died. But He died a special death. A death in which we may obtain
comfort for when we have to say goodbye to special people and the
memories they give.
Max Lucado says it well: "Airports. Luggage. Embraces. Taillights.
Tight throats. Final waves." "Write me!" "Don't forget to phone."
Question: what kind of God would put people through such agony? What
kind of God would give you friends and families and then ask you to
leave them?
Answer: a God who knows that the deepest love is not built on passion
and romance. A God who knows that we are only pilgrims and that
eternity is so close that any "Goodbye is, in reality, 'See you
tomorrow'."
Really, it is a God who had to say goodbye to a Son that He dearly
loved. That Son had to die to give us the true comfort we all need.
Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all who have heavy hearts and I will
give you rest."
I would encourage you to seek out that comfort by asking Jesus Christ
to come into your life and fill that vacuum, that void. I have heard
of so many individuals who had empty lives. When they asked Christ to
fill their life with His comfort, they suddenly could see brightness.
Darkness was gone. Gloom and despair vanished. Jesus Christ can fill
your void also!
Forgive me Lord, for not being patient
Forgive me Lord, for not being kind
Forgive me Lord, for being envious and not generous
Forgive me Lord, for being arrogant
Forgive me Lord, for being rude
Forgive me Lord, for wanting things my own way
Forgive me Lord, for seeking my own advantage
Forgive me Lord, for being irritable
Forgive me Lord, for being so easily offended
Forgive me Lord, for not forgiving quickly
Forgive me Lord, for storing up resentments
Forgive me Lord, for rejoicing in wrongdoing
Forgive me Lord, for not hating evil
Forgive me Lord, for not rejoicing in the truth
Forgive me Lord, for not bearing all things
Forgive me Lord, for not making allowances
Forgive me Lord, for not having more faith
Forgive me Lord, for not trusting in you more
Forgive me Lord, for not enduring everything in acceptance of your will.
Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary
Lessons of Love
A ninety-one-year-old woman died after living a long, dignified life.
When she met God, she asked Him about something that had
long bothered her:
"If Man was created in God's image, and if all men are created
equal, why do people treat each other so badly?"
God replied that each person who enters our life has a unique
lesson to teach us. And it is only through these lessons that we learn
about life, people, relationships, and God. This confused the woman,
so God began to explain:
"When someone lies to you, it teaches you that things are not always as
they seem. The truth is often far beneath the surface. Look beyond the
masks people wear if you want to know their heart. And remove your own
masks to let people know yours.
"When someone steals from you, it teaches you that nothing is forever.
Always appreciate what you have, for you never know when you might
lose it. And never, ever, take your friends and family for granted because
today is the only guarantee you have.
"When someone inflicts an injury upon you, it teaches you that the
human state is a fragile one. Protect and take care of your body as best
you can; it's the only thing you are sure to have forever.
"When someone mocks you, it teaches you that no two people are alike.
When you encounter people who are different from you, don't judge them
by how they look or act; instead, base your opinion on the contents of
their hearts.
"When someone breaks your heart, it teaches you that loving someone
does not always mean that person will love you back. But don't turn your
back on love because when you find the right person, the joy that that one
person brings will make up for all the past hurts put together. Times ten.
"When someone holds a grudge against you, it teaches you that everyone
makes mistakes. When you are wronged, the most virtuous thing you can
do is forgive the offender without pretense. "Forgiving those who have
hurt us is the most difficult, the most courageous, and the most noble thing
Man can do.
"When a loved one is unfaithful to you, it teaches you that resisting
temptation is Man's greatest challenge. Be vigilant in your resistance
against all temptation. By doing so, you will be rewarded with an
enduring sense of satisfaction far greater than the temporary pleasure
by which you were tempted.
"When someone cheats you, it teaches you that greed is the root of all
evil. Aspire to make your dreams come true, no matter how lofty they
may be. Do not feel guilty about your success, but never let an
obsession with achieving your goals lead you to engage in malevolent
activities.
"When someone ridicules you, it teaches you that nobody is perfect.
Accept people for their merits and be tolerant of their flaws. Do not
ever reject someone for imperfections over which they have no control."
Upon hearing the Lord's wisdom, the old woman became concerned
that there were no lessons to be learned from Man's good deeds. God
replied that Man's capacity to love is the greatest gift he has. At the
root
of all kindness is love, and each act of love also teaches us a lesson.
The woman's curiosity deepening, God once again began to explain:
"When someone loves us, it teaches us that love, kindness, charity,
honesty, humility, forgiveness, and acceptance can counteract all the
evil in the world.
"For every good deed, there is one less evil deed. Man alone has the
power to control the balance between good and evil, but because the
lessons of love are not taught often enough, the power is too often
abused.
"When you enter someone's life, whether by plan, chance, or
coincidence, consider what your lesson will be. Will you teach love
or a harsh lesson of reality?
"When you die, will your life have resulted in more loving or hurting?
More comfort or pain? More joy or sadness? Each one of us has
power over the balance of love in the world. Use it wisely.
"Don't miss an opportunity to nudge the world's scale in the right
direction.
"Pass these lessons of love on to those you love and to those you
have hurt.
"For each person who receives this, there will be a little less evil in
the world and a little more love."
You Ask Me..
"You ask me how I gave my heart to Christ? I do not know.
There came a yearning for Him in my soul so long ago.
I found earth's flowers would fade and die
I wept for something that could satisfy;
And then--and then--somehow I seemed to dare
To life my broken heart to Him in prayer.
"You ask me when I gave my heart to Christ? I cannot tell.
The day, or just the hour, I do not now remember well.
It must have been when I was all alone;
The light of His forgiving Spirit shone
Into my heart, so clouded o'er with sin;
I think 'twas then I trembling let Him in.
"You ask me where I gave my heart to Christ? I cannot say.
That sacred place has faded from my sight as yesterday.
Perhaps He thought it better I should not
Remember where. How I should love the spot!
I think I could not tear myself away,
For I should wish forever there to stay.
"You ask me why I gave my heart to Christ? I can reply;
It is a wondrous story; listen while I tell you why.
My heart was drawn, at length, to seek His face;
I was alone, I had no resting place;
I heard of Him, how He had loved me with a love
Of depth so great, of height so far above
All human ken; I longed such love to share,
And sought it, then, upon my knees in prayer.
"He heard my prayer! I cannot tell you how,
Nor when, nor where; only--I love Him now."
Author Unknown
from Light For My Life by Desmond Hills
Mother Teresa said...
The password of the early Christians was "joy," so let us still serve the
Lord with joy. Joy is love, joy is prayer, joy is strength. God loves a
person who gives joyfully, and if you give joyfully you always give more. A
joyful heart is the result of a heart burning with love.
Prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua, Generator of Charity
Dear Saint Anthony, God wants us to see Christ, our brother, in everyone and
love Him truly in word and in deed. God wills that we share with others the
joy of His boundless love. Saint Anthony, Generator of Charity, remember me
in the Father's presence, that I may be generous in sharing the joy of His
love. Remember also the special intentions I now entrust to you. [name them]
Franciscan Mission Associates
If You Meet God In The Morning
He'll Go With You Through The Day
By: Helen Steiner Rice
"The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof"
It speaks of His greatness, it sings of His love, and
each day at dawning I lift my heart high, and raise
up my eyes to the infinite sky....
I watch the night as it vanishes and as a new day is born, and I hear the
birds singing on the wings of the morn.
I see the dew as it glisten in crystal-like splendor while God, with a touch
that is gentle and tender,
Wraps up the night and softly tucks it away, and hangs out the sun to herald
a new day.... And so I give thanks and my heart kneels to pray
"God, keep me and guide me and go with me today."
I hope each of you met Him this morning so that He'll be with you as you go
throughout the day!
MAKE YOUR LIFE HAPPY
MAKE UP YOUR MIND TO BE HAPPY.
Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
No one has everything, and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears.
DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY.
Don´t think that somehow you should be protected from misfortune that befalls other people.
YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYBODY.
Don´t let criticism worry you.
DON'T LET YOUR NEIGHBOUR SET YOUR STANDARDS.
Be yourself.
NEVER BORROW TROUBLE.
Do the things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt. Imaginary things are harder to bear than real ones.
AVOID PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU UNHAPPY.
Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish jealousy, enmity, grudges.
HAVE MANY INTERESTS.
If you can´t travel, read about new places.
DON'T HOLD POSTMORTEMS.
Don´t spend your time brooding over sorrows or mistakes. Don´t be one who never gets over things.
DON'T SHOW PRIDE WHEN YOU GET VICTORY.
After the resurrection Jesus did not reveal Himself before Pilate or Herodotus or the High Priests, who were torturing, crucifying and sealing the sepulchre; but revealed Himself before His own Disciples and those who believed in Him.
DO WHAT YOU CAN FOR THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN YOURSELF.
Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble (Ps 41:1).
KEEP BUSY AT SOMETHING.
A busy person never has time to be unhappy.
DON'T WORRY.
Be happy.
AND THE LAST; BUT NOT LEAST - TO KNOW LASTING HAPPINESS, GET TO KNOW THE LOVE OF ETERNAL GOD PERSONALLY.
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