Community Chat

[gloriajean]

It is not in the good times, but rather in the times of stress and
misfortune,
that our faith is tested. Lord, remove my doubts as they creep in and help
me turn my times of turmoil into times of spiritual growth.


S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y

"While we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law,
were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are
discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we are
slaves not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit."
~Romans 7:5-6

M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y

All that depresses us, all that we fear, is really powerless to harm us.
These things are but phantoms. So we can arise from earth's bonds, from
depression, distrust, fear and all that hinders our new life. We can arise
to beauty, joy, peace and work inspired by love.
We can rise from death to life. We need not even fear death. All past sins
can be forgiven and we can live, love and work with God. We need not let
anything hinder our new life. We can seek to know more and more of that new
way of living.

P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y

I pray that I may let God live in me as I work for God. I pray that I may
go out into the sunlight and work with God.

Hello my friends! Hope you all had a very relaxing Sunday as we did today.
Weather colder - in the 20's and when we left our Marian Retreat tonight
there was snow flakes, not much, just a little coming down. This retreat is
very, very good - and we have good discussions at our table, and love the
videos' lectures by a priest who wrote the retreat book. It's about
consecrating ourselves to Jesus through Mary, and how she, as our Heavenly
Mother, can help us here. Lots I already knew, but there's always more to
learn about Our Blessed Mother who is Mother to us all. Our priest, Father
Mark, leads these meetings. Just talked to Lori - she said that Ollie is
very cuddly today - didn't have to be in the kennel - tomorrow again he
will. Praying for all of you for your needs and the needs of your loved
ones, and thanks for your prayers for us which is always greatly
appreciated!


Each Time

Each time you warmly greet a stranger
or beam a heartfelt smile,
you pass along


the effects lingering for awhile.

Each time you help a friend
or a neighbor you do not know,
you give of

and the effects just grow and grow

Each time you stop to listen
or judge not another´s trials,
you show

then the effects travel for miles

Each time you console a burdened heart
or shoulder someone's tears,
you spread

the effects passing on for years.

Each time you "Love thy neighbor"
as He has always loved you,
you light a candle of

to last a lifetime through

Although our lives may differ greatly
our strengths and weaknesses may vary too
I know you are a special soul
because He brightly shines through you!

Now, if I can share but one small message
to you, my friend, I say:
hold on to this important promise
He has spoken every day...

"Each time you need a hand
or a friend to walk with you,
Remember I am always near
and My love is always true."

THE STORY OF SOUL
Author Unknown
November 11, 2012


There once was a man named Soul who was walking in a garden. He was
whistling a real sweet tune for he was saved and had the joy of the Lord,
but he was a baby Christian. As Soul was walking, a beautiful and seductive
woman came out from behind a tree. Soul was very startled. He said, "Hello,
I'm Soul, what is your name?"

She replied, "I am Temptation, I have what you want."

"What do I want?" replied Soul.

"You want to do all things which are of the flesh," said Temptation.

Soul replied, "O.K., lead me."

So he and Temptation went off and fulfilled the desires of the flesh. When
Soul returned to the garden, he met a man named Condemnation. Condemnation
said, "Hey, I see you have met my friend, Temptation."

Soul said, "Yes, who are you?"

"I am Condemnation, I come after Temptation. We work hand-in-hand." Then
Condemnation jumped on Soul's back and began to beat him. He hit him in the
face and kicked him when he was down. This went on for several days.

On about the third day, a man named Mercy came running and said, "I command
you, Condemnation, to stop beating Soul."

Condemnation snickered, "Make me."

So Mercy unsheathed his sword and cut Condemnation in two.

As Soul watched in astonished pain, he was overtaken by the power of Mercy.
Mercy walked up to Soul and said, "I have dealt with Condemnation before. He
should not show up around you anymore."

Soul replied, "How can I ever thank you?"

"Well," replied Mercy, "I was sent here by God and He told me to introduce
you to a dear friend of mine. His name is Redemption."

Redemption walked up and said, "Hello Soul, I see that you are not doing
well."

Soul replied, "Not until Mercy came along. It is a pleasure to meet you
Redemption."

"Well", said Redemption," I am glad to meet you. Are you ready to accept
me?"

"What do you mean?" asked Soul.

Redemption said, "Well, when you accepted Jesus and decided to walk with
Him, then you chose to accept the things of Him and His love. I am a part of
Jesus' love. I help you feel forgiven. You will never have to deal with
Condemnation again. Temptation may come around, but I have someone I would
like for you to meet who can help you with that. His name is Grace."

Grace walked up to Soul and said, "Hello Soul, I have been waiting for you.
As a matter of fact all three of us have been waiting to meet you. I will
help you take the way out of Temptation that God gives you as it comes up.
The last person we want you to meet is Faith."

"Hi Soul, I am Faith, and I will help you stay strong and keep your beliefs
strong," said Faith.

Soul began to cry. When he began to cry Redemption said, "This is what we
were here for. Jesus redeemed you, saved you by Grace through Faith and
gives you his Mercy. Jesus loves you Soul."

Soul said, "I love you, Jesus."

10 COMMON CONFLICT RESOLUTION MISTAKES
Author Unknown


Ten Common Conflict Resolution Mistakes and How to Avoid Them:

One of the most common and frustrating impediments to worker
productivity is conflict between employees. Unresolved conflict can
strain relationships, create tension and negativity, and dampen
morale. Whether engaged in a heated debate, a disagreement, or an
outright feud, take a
strategic approach to resolving the problem. You’ll be most effective
if you avoid making these common mistakes.

1. Don’t make assumptions about the situation or the other person’s
perceptions, motivations, or reactions. You’ll get a much clearer and
more accurate picture by asking the other person directly.

2. Don’t take it personally - it rarely is!

3. Don’t look for blame. Instead, try to identify cause.

4. Don’t avoid the problem. It’ll only get worse, breed resentment,
and resurface at a later date. You’ve simply got to deal directly with
the issue at hand.

5. Don’t attack the other person’s character. That’s just playing
dirty. It will not help you work things out and it will almost
certainly have a lasting, negative impact.

6. Don’t gossip about the problem or about the other person involved.
It’s unprofessional and will only make matters worse.

7. Don’t bring it up in public. This is a private matter to be
resolved between you and the other party.

8. Don’t bring it up when there’s not enough time to address it.
Instead, leave adequate time for a thorough discussion - or introduce
the issue and schedule a

time to resume talks in the immediate future.

9. Don’t bring it up when you’re angry, stressed, or feeling ill.
That’s a disservice to you and the other person involved. Wait until
you’re calm.

10. Don’t address the situation in an email. Email leaves far too much
room for misinterpretation. While we’re on the subject, don’t copy
others on a personal matter. This will almost certainly make the other
party feel defensive, angry, or humiliated. It won’t, however, help
resolve the problem.

ALWAYS LOOK ON THE INSIDE
Author Unknown

I remember reading a story once about a man who was exploring some
caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with
a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled up some
clay and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much,
but they intrigued
the man so he took the bag out of the cave with him.

As he strolled along the beach, to pass the time, he would throw the
clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could throw.

He thought little about it until he dropped one of the balls and it
cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone.
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each
contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of
jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left, then it struck him.

He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of
the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves.
Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have had tens of
thousands, but he just threw it all away.

You know sometimes, it's like that with people. We look at someone,
maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't
look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or
sparkling, so we discount it; we see that person as less important
than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy.

But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that
person. There is a treasure hidden in every one of us. We are
wonderfully made. Not just our physical bodies, our spiritual selves,
which are sometimes hidden from others by the *earthen vessel*

But if you take the time to get to know that person, and if you ask
the Spirit to show you that person the way He sees them, then the clay
begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly
smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration
that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him
and is willing to trust him with his friendship.

Forever

"Forever" she said.
"Forever," he said.

First day of life and they made the vow to be together forever.

"I need some room," she said.
"I'll will always be here, just call for me" he said.

Ten years old and they made the vow to always be there.

"Does he like me?" she asked.
"I'll find out," he said.

Twelve years old and he made the vow to show her who loved her.

"He doesn't love me anymore," she said.
"I will always love you" he said.

Fourteen years old and he made the vow to show her love forever.

"Nobody loves me," she said.
"I know someone who does," he said.

Sixteen years old and he made the vow to love her forever.

"I'm getting married," she said.
"I'll be there," he said.

Eighteen years old and he made the vow to forever give her love.

"I got divorced yesterday," she said.
"I'm here for you," he said.

Twenty years old and he made the vow to be there for her forever.

"Why doesn't anyone love me?" she asked.
"I have always loved you," he said.

Twenty-two years old and he made the vow to keep on loving her.

"I could never just love you," she said.
"I could never stop," he said.

Twenty-four years old and he made the vow to never stop loving her.

"I can never see you," she said.
"I have lived in your heart from the day you were born," he said.

Twenty-six years old and he made the vow to live in her heart forever.

As she lays dying,
"I'm sorry, for not always loving you, please forgive me" she said.
"I told you I will always be here for you, I am here!" he said.

Twenty-eight years old and he kept his vow as her body lay in an open
casket he turned to her and said, "You shall come unto me to live and be
loved forever."

"Forever," she said
"Forever," The Lord said.

Be blessed in the Thought

To help us make the wisest use of our time,
someone has offered these guidelines :

Take time to pray - it's a source of power
Take time to read - it's a fountain of wisdom.
Take time to play - it's a secret of youth.
Take time to be friendly - it's a path of happiness.
Take time to laugh - it's the music of the soul.
Take time to dream - it's a road to greater vision.
Take time to love - it's GOD like.

Praise

Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of God who hath called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9

Your life is a song of praise that rises to God your Father. he revels in
your decision to take
His hand and step out of darkness into light. It's what He has worked so
hard to accomplish.
It's why He sent His Son, Jesus, to live and die and rise again. You are His
trophy, His prize, the
sure and certain reward of His great sacrifice. Each time you say yes to
life, yes to love, yes to
eternal values, you are praising Him.

Your life is a form of praise, but your words of praise are even more
precious to your Heavenly
Father. His Holy Spirit who lives within you carries them straight to His
throne. Why are your
praises so dear to Him? Because, unlike His other creatures, your praises
are not innate. They
are the free expression of you heart. You chose Him when you could have
chosen so many
others. Lift your voice to Him today. It brings Him great Joy.

I will praise You, O Lord with my whole heart.........I will sing praise to
your name O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2

Dearest Mother of Our Lord,

Sweet and blessed mother, guide our mothers that they too may lead us to
Your Son, just as you show us.
May they imitate Your love and devotion.
May we in return also be loving, patient, understanding and supportive to
our mothers.

Blessed Mother, we pray for all mothers - our own mums, our aunts, our
grandmothers... the living and the departed.

Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with You.
Blessed are you amongst all women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.