Community Chat

[DoubleJ]

Life is what our thinking makes it. Lord, help me visualize myself richly
living
each day, believing, achieving, and then succeeding.

Scripture for the day:

Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the
womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you
a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know
how to speak, for I am only a boy." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say,
'I am only a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall
speak whatever I command you, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to
deliver you, says the LORD." ~Jeremiah 1:4-8


Meditation for the day:

God thought about the universe and brought it into being. God's thought
brought me into being. I can think God's thoughts after God. I can often
keep my mind occupied with thoughts about God and meditate on the way God
wants me to live. I can train my mind constantly in quiet times of
communion with God. It is the work of a lifetime to develop to full stature
spiritually. This is what I am on earth for. It gives meaning to my life.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may think God's thoughts after God. I pray that I may live as
God wants me to live.

Tonight I’m too sick to write anything, I've been in bed all day!!

God's Table Requires Table Manners
(Author Unknown)

You undoubtedly felt awkward the first time you had to learn which fork to
use. But with that knowledge you can enter any dining experience with
confidence.
The same is true when you dine at God's table. At first it seems difficult.
But learning the right manners makes it possible for you to be in any
situation and please the Father.

Table manners at God's table:

1. You have to do your own chewing. Too many Christians expect God to take
out a spoon and dish up the blessing for them. He is supposed to place it in
our mouths, work our jaws to chew it up, and help us swallow it. We want God
to do everything. The fact is that you have responsibility in God's
sovereign world.


2. Accept the seating. Take the lowest seat, the seat of humility and
service. If God wants you to sit higher up, He will show you that, but err
on the side of humility, not pride.


3. Finish the meal. John 3:16 tells us, "God so loved the world, that He
gave His only begotten Son." Some believe that because God has already come
and died for the sins of the world, they don't have to do anything else.
However, it's important to finish the phrase regarding man's responsibility:
"whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." You
must come to Him in order to receive the forgiveness that He purchased for
you.


4. Read the menu. You must spend time reading what God has prepared. Read
your Bible, meditate on the Word. It will give you strength and illumination
according to God's plan for your life. It will keep you on course and remind
you of your responsibilities in order to fulfill the plan of God.


5. Count the fruit. If you are not willing to bear fruit for Him, then you
certainly have no place to expect Him to answer your requests, even if you
ask things in His name. Jesus declares," Everyone that the Father gives me
will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away" (John
6:37). The Holy Spirit inspires us to go to Jesus and do what He asks of us.
His sovereignty makes the first move toward us, but because He gave us free
will, we must move toward Him as well.


One Voice

Blessed are you
when you remain available
sharing in simplicity what you possess

Blessed are you
when you weep over the absence of happiness around you
and throughout the world

Blessed are you
when you strive to take the first steps,
the necessary one, to attain peace with
your brothers and sisters, throughout the world

Blessed are you
when you take seriously your faith
in the risen Jesus


A Fervent Prayer For The Sick and Suffering
O Almighty Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. The same Lord that so
loves His children as to lay His life down for them. The same Lord that rose
from the dead on the third day, and Ascended into Heaven. The same Lord that
spoke the word and the Centurion’s Servant was immediately healed. The same
Lord that restored sight to the blind; cleansed lepers, cured the halt and
lame. The same Lord that with a word rebuked the seas and they were calm.
The same Lord that raised Lazarus from the dead. The same Lord that has been
given all power both in Heaven and on earth, do Thou, the same Lord visit
and heal Thy servant, (__name__), from the afflictions that they are now
suffering. Strengthen our faith like that of the Roman Centurion, so that we
may ask for this healing with the same faith, trust, and hope that Thy
servant, (__name__) will be healed in the same manner that the Centurion’s
servant was restored to health. O Holy physician of our souls and bodies,
hear this fervent prayer for Thy servant (__name__), and grant this request
as we hold this, Thy servant up before Thy glorious Throne. We ask this in
the victorious and Holy Name of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In my weakest moments, God reveals His Love
Father Craig Butler, diocesan priest
I meet God through the people I encounter every day. One of the most
enjoyable and humbling aspects of my life as a priest is simply being with
people, spending time just talking - "hanging around" and sharing in their
lives. At the same time I am privileged to meet people and talk with them at
more than just a superficial level.

During these encounters I'm often overwhelmed by their goodness, their
kindness and their holiness. By holiness I don't mean that they are nice or
insipid or weak but rather that somehow they are in touch with God. They
"know" Christ, not just about him. They are close to God, and more
importantly, God is close to them. It gives me great joy to remind them of
this and at the same time I feel as though I am sharing in their experience
of God.

Ironically these people are often unaware of just how close to God they are
and how much God loves them!

Of all my encounters with God, through the lives of people, the most
profound are at those times and in those situations when I am at my most
vulnerable. To sit with someone who has experienced a great tragedy is, I
find, a real challenge. At those times I'm most deeply aware of my own
inability to "do" anything, other than simply sit with the person and be
there. My strongest inclination is to get up, excuse myself, and walk away -
to some- where else where I can be more useful - and feel more comfortable!

It is in my weakest moments that God reveals his love for me most powerfully
and I then find myself able to deal with just about anything.

Finally, the situation where I meet God on a "regular" basis is when I pray
and most especially when I'm celebrating Eucharist. It is at these times
that I experience my greatest need to know that the work I do is not mine
but rather that it is God's, and that I can't do it on my own. I often feel
inadequate when I look out at a sea of expectant faces.

It is my experience that it's at the most difficult and challenging times,
and when I am aware of my dependence on God, that God reminds me of his love
and his very real presence with me.


THANK YOU LORD
Author Unknown

Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food
to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of
nice clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were
so warm and comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the
splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory; they are
so convenient.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting
so badly; It has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of
cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.

Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today.
It has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing,
the lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard.

Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door. My kids are
healthy and able to run and play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have
richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do
them gratefully.

What do Angels Look Like
Author Unknown

Like the little old lady who returned your wallet yesterday.
Like the taxi driver who told you that your eyes light up the world, when
you smile.
Like the small child who showed you the wonder in simple things.
Like the poor man who offered to share his lunch with you.
Like the rich man who showed you that it really is all possible, if only you
believe.
Like the stranger who just happened to come along, when you had lost your
way.
Like the friend who touched your heart, when you didn't think you had one.
Angels come in all sizes and shapes, all ages and skin types.
Some with freckles, some with dimples, some with wrinkles, some without.
They come disguised as friends, enemies teachers, students, lovers and
fools.
They don't take life too seriously, they travel light.
They leave no forwarding address, they ask nothing in return.
They are hard to find when your eyes are closed, but when you choose to see,
they are everywhere you look.
So, open you eyes and count all your Angels -- for you are truly blessed!

I am

I am what I am because of God not me, I Am is the one determined my destiny.

I Am knew me before I was born, and supplies me new life each new dawn.

I Am is the Father the Creator of man, Tis He who molds me with His hand.

Tis He who beckons until we find, the awesome truth that gives peace of
mind.

Tis He who helps us understand, and supplies the faith so we accept His
plan.

His plan by which our sins are forgiven, and a whole new life we start
living.

I am nothing myself a no one on my own, I do no good when I stand alone.

But surrendered completely to I Am, I become a part of the Great Master
Plan.

I am but an instrument I Am can use, as I share His love and expound His
views.

Barbara Philbrook

Our Father - We are made brothers and sisters in Christ.

Who art in heaven - We belong with our Father and heaven is our home.

Hallowed be Thy Name - Your name is Father and we are to be your obedient
children.

Thy kingdom come - We look forward to being with you completely, living your
way.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven - We want to follow your will
wholeheartedly, without hesitation or reservation, like the saints.

Give us this day our daily bread - We recognize that we are completely
dependent on you and need you to sustain us.

Forgive us our trespasses - We thank you for your patience with us when we
stray from your way.

As we forgive those who trespass against us - We need your guidance to love
those who mistreat us.

Lead us not into temptation - Strengthen our love for you so that turning
away from you will be unappealing to us.

Deliver us from evil - Protect us from any forces, external or internal,
that try to keep us from You.

Amen.