Recognize the joy that comes from the simple things in life like a smile, a
hug,
or a good meal. Lord, help me think about the good things in my life and
how my life would change without them.
Scripture for the day:
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to
do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love."
~John 4:18
Meditation for the day:
I can trust God. This lesson has to be learned. My doubts and fears can
continually drive me back into the wilderness. Doubts can lead me astray,
because I am not trusting God. I can trust God's love. It will never fail
me, but I can learn not fail it by my doubts and fears. We all have much to
learn in turning out fear by faith. Our doubts can arrest God's work
through us. I need not doubt. I can believe in God and continually work at
strengthening my faith.
Prayer for the day:
I pray that I may live the way God wants me to live. I pray that I may get
into that stream of goodness and love in the world.
Hello my friends! I sure am hoping that I won't have as much trouble
posting this tonight as I did last night! It took many tries, it got all
jumbled up again. I don't know why it won't let me have paragraphs - anyway
last night it didn't. I have them here. Today was a good day at work with
Lori - she took me out to lunch - at Pizza Ranch - for their buffet - I had
barbecued chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans, it was
delicious!! It's just a few steps from her office, just around the corner!
Then later I did sell two gift certificates and did a cancellation by phone.
So good thing I was there. Another blessing - I got another order from my
great-niece, Erin, for shampoo, conditioner and a cream that she makes. The
shampoo is for not only hair but for the skin too, so I tried washing my
face with it - very good indeed! I have rosacea - and the medicated wash is
all gone now, so I'm trying this out to see if it works on my face. It's
always a blessing to be spending time with Lori - so working with her is
great! We get to share a lot with each other. Praying for you all - thanks
for your prayers for me.
Prayer for Trust in Jesus
O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
St. Ignatius of Loyola
THE CHRISTMAS GIFT
Written by Arlene Spanos 2006 (revised 2010)
T’was eight centuries before Christ came to the earth,
The Holy Scriptures foretold of the Messiah’s Birth.
The world was in peril with distress and gloom,
Far and wide there was destruction and doom.
People were lost - they were deaf, blind and dumb;
God promised a Savior one day would come.
The prophesies gave the details of His Birth,
It was certain He’d come to transform the earth.
He’d be born of a virgin, laid in a manger with hay,
Then His Hands and Feet pierced on His final day.
It was told where He’d be born and His Ancestral Line,
He would be King of Kings, completely Divine.
An angel told Mary that she would be the one
To give birth to God’s Child, His Only Begotten Son.
The Lord had a purpose for which He came;
God would be with us – Immanuel, His Name;
Mankind would learn about peace, hope, and joy;
It would all come about in this small Baby Boy.
He was the Prince of Peace, a real Beacon of Light;
Reverent and Righteous; He taught wrong from right.
He came to restore us and showed us to care
And to help one another; He taught us to share.
Many followed and listened to all that He said.
Hearts and lives changed as their souls had been fed.
His Wisdom was divine, far beyond what they’d known;
Many traveled great distance; crowds really had grown.
He was a Humble Servant as He showed us pure love.
He taught us to know our Heavenly Father above.
He was Holy and Sinless, never even told a lie.
He was mocked, and beaten, then crucified to die.
Folks were amazed and confused with all that went on,
They didn’t understand…until He was gone.
He made the sacrifice for our debt to be paid.
For upon Him all of our sins had been laid.
He was Goodness and Grace and came to relieve
The wretched grasp of satan to all who believe.
He was God as a Man to His last dying breath,
Then rose from the dead with His power over death.
This all actually happened, it isn’t folklore.
He told us of Heaven and showed us there’s more.
Christ had come to save the souls on earth,
He offers deliverance and a second birth.
We call Him Jesus and He is with us today;
He is Lord of all Lords and He is the Way.
He’s the Counselor, Comforter, Redeemer and Friend,
He Reigns over all; His Rule never will end.
We celebrate His Birth and all that it means
With songs and displays of Nativity scenes.
His Amazing Grace is the actual reason
That we recognize and rejoice this season.
Again this year we celebrate His Holy Birth;
Merry Christmas to all and to all Peace On Earth!
The Birthday of Christ
The Lord was resting in a house
When His Birthday came again.
In celebration of His first,
The earth was remembering when
He was born beneath the star,
In a lowly stable then.
The high and mighty of the earth,
In pompous display of wealth,
Showered the Lord with trinkets of gold,
Mostly gained by stealth.
With benign air and ponderous pride
They wished Him the best of health.
The Lord of All regarded them
With eyes of sorrow and shame.
"It would please me mightily, for you
To remember and speak My Name.
To help all those truly in want
And do it for me, not fame.
"What need have I of money and jewels
When I have the whole world," said He'
"Be kind and help the sick and the poor;
When you do it, do it for Me.
When you give in Love your talents and time,
You help to set Me free.
"The lowest slave who helps his brothers
Is truly a Brother to Me.
Those who heal with Love in their hearts
Are really healing Me.
Those who give their life for others
Will live for eternity.
"To all who seek to remember My birth,
Remember My life as well.
Keep My day with Love in your hearts,
And don't forget to tell
All you meet of My Love for them,
Then Love will forever swell."
Good Luck Means God
This is a story about a husband rushing to the shopping center to find a
last minute anniversary gift for his wife. Just as he was going through the
door of the supermarket, an impatient shopper came rushing out, bumping an
elderly lady and sending her parcels flying. No one stopped to help her.
John looked at his watch. In a few minutes the store would be dosed. What
should he do? The poor old lady looked so upset.... Well, John helped her
gather up everything. She gave him such a sweet smile, that he was charmed
into seeing her safely to her bus. Then John dashed back to the supermarket,
just as the security man had locked all the doors. So - all he could buy his
wife was a bunch of flowers.
One night about two months later, John was hundreds of miles from home,
driving through a heavy rainstorm when his tire blew out. He found that his
spare tire was also flat. So, dripping wet, he climbed back into the car and
waited and waited in the dark.... Finally, he saw two headlights coming down
the road.... He waved frantically, and the car stopped. inside, was that
same old lady, he had helped some weeks before.
She explained that she was actually on the wrong road. Back somewhere, she
had taken a wrong turn. And so it was by pure luck that she happened to be
here, just when she could be of help.
Any Christian, of course, knows that there is no such a thing as luck. Luck
is another word for God working behind things... like caring for the birds
of the air and the lilies of the field and the hairs of your head, as
Matthew says in 6:28.
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