Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Frequently remind yourself of that which is important in your life.
Lord, help me to treasure my family and friends, recognize how
valuable they are and tell them often how happy that I am because
they are in my life.

Scripture for the day:

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'For mortals it is impossible, but for
God all things are possible.'" ~Matthew 19:26

Meditation for the day:

We can cling to the belief that all things are possible with God. If
this belief is truly accepted it is the ladder upon which a human soul
can climb from the lowest pit of despair to the most sublime heights
of peace of mind. It is possible for God to change our way of living.
When we see the change in another person through the grace of God, we
cannot doubt that all things are possible in the lives of people
through the strength that comes from faith in God who rules us all.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may live expectantly. I pray that I may believe deeply
that all things are possible with God.

Hello dear friends! It's because of the first line that I'm getting this
out early. Lori is getting her dog home tonight - he's sick - got a kennel
cough, Sammy can't be near him now or he'll get it, but people won't, only
dogs. So being Linus is off, we can all go and pick him up, and we'll have
dinner (supper) with her at her house, and give that little doggie lots of
love and attention. She was going to pick him up tomorrow but being he's
sick and from the kennel, I told her the best thing for him would be to
bring him home tonight already and away from that place of all the noise
etc. and show him a loving home. Phoebe will have the whole basement, and
he'll have the main floor for now. She is doing Darla's invitations on the
computer so we can help in whatever she needs to do there to get them
assembled. Our blessing today - we got our chickens from the farm, and
already cut up so we just separated them, have a bunch of soup bones which
is very necessary for us - and we'll have our first one tonight - on Lori's
grill - very fresh! That is a great blessing! They are about 5 pounds
each. I helped today with staining in our patio, on the windows etc. I
mean screens (frames), and that was a blessing, too, to do things with my
husband. Guess it wasn't too bad because he was very pleased with my work!!
He's so good at it all! Please, friends, say a prayer for little Ollie,
that he'll return to health soon. Tuesday she has an appointment at the
Animal Hospital - I suppose to get him checked out. Poor little guy! So
much going on with him and he doesn't know what's happening, and I'm sure
he's very scared. We are loving him already! I'm sure he'll return the
love very soon. They love unconditionally, I know. What a blessing he's
going to be for Lori. Praying for all of you and all your intentions every
day, and I thank you all for praying for us and little Oliver! God bless
you all!



The Cross

The power of the cross...an incredible story

In 1967 while I was taking a class in photography at the University of
Cincinnati, I became acquainted with a young man named Charles Murray, who
was also a student at the school and training for the summer Olympics of
1968 as a high diver. Charles was very patient with me as I would speak to
him for hours about Jesus Christ and how He had saved me. Charles was not
raised in a home that attended any kind of church, so all that I had to tell
him was a fascination to him. He even began to ask questions about
forgiveness of sin. Finally the day came that I put a question to him. I
asked if he had realized his own need of a redeemer and if he was ready to
trust Christ as his own Saviour. I saw his countenance fall and the guilt in
his face. But his reply was a strong 'no'. In the days that followed he was
quiet and often I felt that he was avoiding me, until I got a phone call
from him. He wanted to know where to look in the New Testament for some
verses that I had given him about salvation. I gave him the references to
several passages and asked if I could meet with him. He declined my offer
and thanked me for the scripture. I could tell that he was greatly troubled,
but I did not know where he was or how to help him.

Because he was training for the Olympic Games, Charles had special
privileges at the University pool facilities. Sometime between 10:30 and
11:00 that evening he decided to go swim and practice a few dives. It was a
clear night in October and the moon was big and bright. The University pool
was housed under a ceiling of glass panes so the moon shone brightly across
the top of the wall in the pool area. Charles climbed to the highest
platform to take his first dive. At that moment the Spirit of God began to
convict him of his sins. All the scripture he had read, all the occasions of
witnessing to him about Christ flooded his mind. He stood on the platform
backwards to make his dive, spread his arms to gather his balance, looked up
to the wall and saw his own shadow caused by the light of the moon. His
shadow was in the shape of a cross. He could bear the burden of sin no
longer. His heart broke and he sat down on the platform and asked God to
forgive him and save him. He trusted Jesus Christ twenty some feet in the
air. Suddenly, the lights in the pool area came on. The attendant had come
in to check the pool. As Charles looked down from his platform he saw an
EMPTY pool which had been drained for repairs.

He had almost plummeted to his death, but the cross had stopped him from
disaster.
Galatians 6:14



A Gift That Anyone Can Give . . . A Smile

It costs nothing, but saves much.

It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give.

It happens in a flash, and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

None is so rich that he can get along without it; none so poor that he is
not enriched by it.

It creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in business, and is the
countersign of friends.

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sick,
and Nature's best antidote for trouble.

It cannot be bought, borrowed, or stolen, for it is no earthly good to
anyone until it is given away.

If you meet someone too burdened with grief or worry to smile, just give him
one of yours.

For nobody needs a smile so much as he who has none left to give.


[ Author unknown ]

WHY HELEN KELLER SUCCEEDED
Anonymous
August 23, 2009


A number of years ago, in a mental institution just outside Boston,
Mass., a young girl known as "Little Annie" was locked in the dungeon.
This institution was one of the more enlightened ones for the
treatment of the mentally disturbed. However, the doctors felt that a
dungeon was the only place for those who were "hopelessly" insane. In
Little Annie's case, they saw no hope for her, so she was confined to
a small cage which received little light and even less hope.

About that time, an elderly nurse in the institution was nearing
retirement. She felt there was hope for all of God's creatures,so she
started taking her lunch into the dungeon and eating
outside Little Annie's cage. When the nurse started visiting her,
Little Annie gave no indication that she was even aware of her
presence. One day, the nurse brought some brownies to the dungeon and
left them outside the cage. Little Annie gave no hint she knew they
were there, but when the nurse returned the next day, the brownies
were gone.

From that time on, the nurse would bring brownies when she made her
Thursday visit. Soon, the doctors in the institution noticed a change
was taking place. After a period of time, they decided to move Little
Annie upstairs. Finally, the day came when this "hopeless case" was
told she could return home. But Little Annie did not wish to leave.
The place had meant so much to her she felt she could make a
contribution if she stayed and worked with the other patients. The
elderly nurse had seen and brought out so much in her life that Little
Annie felt she could see and help develop something in others. In
years, she devoted her life to helping a blind and deaf child,
named Helen Keller, to develop her full potential.

Many years later, Queen Victoria of England, while pinning England's
highest award on a foreigner, asked Helen Keller, "How do you account
for your remarkable accomplishments in life? How do you explain the
fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to
accomplish so much?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Helen Keller said that had it not been
for Anne Sullivan (Little Annie), the name of Helen Keller would have
remained unknown.

In whom have you invested your life? Someone is waiting to receive the
encouragement you have to offer.


A GREAT RECIPE...

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the
ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what
is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is
manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of
the past, negative thoughts or
things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive
present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college
kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to
disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey
is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will
this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings.

You'll be smiling before you know it.

GOOD ADVICE TO LIVE BY
Author Unknown
July 13, 2012


If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.

The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.

Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

The best vitamin for making friends....B1.

The 10 commandments are not multiple choice.

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

Minds are like parachutes...they function only when open.

Ideas won't work unless YOU do.

One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.

One who lacks the courage to start has already finished.

The heaviest thing to carry is a grudge.

Don't learn safety rules by accident.

We lie the loudest when we lie to ourselves.

Jumping to conclusions can be bad exercise.

A turtle makes progress when it sticks it's head out.

One thing you can give and still keep...is your word.

A friend walks in when everyone else walks out.

AND FINALLY...

The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!!!

Do it today!

In a class I teach for adults, I gave the assignment to "go
to someone you love, and tell them that you love them." At the
beginning of the next class, one of the students began by saying, "I
was angry with you last week when you gave us this assignment. I
didn't feel I had anyone to say those words to. But as I began driving
home my conscience started talking. Then I knew exactly who I
needed to say `I love you' to.

Five years ago, my father and I had a vicious disagreement and never
really resolved it. We avoided seeing each other unless we absolutely
had to at family gatherings. We hardly spoke. So by the time I got
home, I had convinced myself I was going to tell my father I loved him.
"Just making that decision seemed to lift a heavy load off my chest.

"At 5:30, I was at my parents' house ringing the doorbell, praying that
Dad would answer the door. I was afraid if Mom answered, I would
chicken out and tell her instead. But as luck would have it, Dad did
answer the door. "I didn't waste any time - I took one step in the door
and said, `Dad, I just came over to tell you that I love you.' "It was as
if a transformation came over my dad. Before my eyes his face
softened, the wrinkles seemed to disappear and he began to cry. He
reached out and hugged me and said, `I love you too, son, but I've
never been able to say it.' "But that's not even my point. Two days
after that visit, my dad had a heart attack and is in the hospital. I don't
even know if he'll make it. "So my message to all of you is this: Don't
wait to do the things you know need to be done. What if I had waited
to tell my dad? Take the time to do what you need to do and do it
now!"

By Dennis E. Mannering

UNANSWERED LETTERS
Author Unknown


There are many times when we begin a certain task that God lays on our
hearts and because we think our efforts are minimal and not making a
difference, we quit the job that God told us to pursue.

The enemy loves to plant seeds of doubt and lure us into thinking that
we are not capable of making a difference in this world, but with
God's help we can overcome and fulfill the destiny that God has for
every believer.

If you are going through a situation of doubting your task unto the
Lord, then I hope this story will bless and encourage you to never
quit what God has laid on your heart because you may never know of the
lives that you are touching.

I read of a man who was involved in a tragic accident. He lost both
legs and his left arm and only a finger and thumb remained on the
right hand.

But he still possessed a brilliant mind, enriched with a good
education and broadened with world travel. At first he thought there
was nothing he could do but remain a helpless sufferer.

A thought came to him. It was always nice to receive letters, but why
not write them--he could still use his right hand with some
difficulty. But to whom could be right?

Was there anyone shut-in and incapacitated like he was who could be
encouraged by his letters? He thought of men in prison--they did have
some hope of release, whereas he had none--but it was worth a try.

He wrote to a Christian organization concerned with prison ministry.
He was told that his letters could not be answered because it was
against prison rules, but he still decided to commence this one-sided
correspondence.

He wrote twice a week, and it taxed his strength to the limit. But
into the letters he put his whole soul, all his experience, all his
faith, all his wit, and all his Christian optimism.

Frequently he felt discouraged and was tempted to give it all up. But
it was his one remaining activity, and he resolved to continue as long
as he could.

At last he got a letter. It was very short, written on prison
stationery by the officer whose duty it was to censor the mail.

All it said was: "Please write on the best paper you can afford. Your
letters are passed from cell to cell till they literally fall to
pieces."

No matter what your situation may be like, you still have the ability
to encourage someone who is discouraged and lift up someone who is
feeling low.

Take this story as an encouragement to give your all for someone else
and do not worry about the results. No good work will go unseen and
only God knows of the impact that your life can have on someone else.

Let us not do our good works so that we may be praised, but let us do
good works so that others may be lifted up and God be praised because
of our intervention.

The only thing that we can take with us into eternity is what we have
done for the Lord. There are no bank accounts in heaven to show how
much your net worth was on the earth, but there will be accounts in
heaven of what you did to show your life as an example in leading
others to Him.


The Promise

There's a promise in our sorrow
and a blessing when we sigh.
There's a light beyond the shadows
and a cleansing when we cry.

So when we are discouraged,
and face tremendous grief;
it is during those times of trouble,
that the heavens send relief.

With our heart in tune with Jesus,
our source of joy and peace,
be mindful of His promise,
that all suffering He would cease.

He's cried our tears of sadness;
He's felt our every pain,
He's walked our path before,
all glory to His name.

Just listen for the spirit,
as it whispers to be still,
for there is joy and comfort
beyond sad Calvary's hill.

So if the sky should darken
and if the earth should quake,
remember life has struggles
on the journey that we take.

The aftermath of sorrow
is beauty and pure light,
if we can fight the battle
and pray with soul and might.

He sent us rainbow colors
to follow cleansing rain,
He showed us there are miracles
that come with all the pain.

Seek forbearance in the hardships,
or when we fear or roam.
Cast your burdens on the Savior,
and He'll come and take us home.

For He is our great Redeemer
our only true best friend,
He promised he would never leave,
He'll guide us to the end.

Author Unknown

THEN WHY DON'T WE PRAY?
Author Unknown

The highest privilege ever afforded to man is the power of prayer.
...then why don't we pray?

The right to talk to the highest potentate in all the universe...
...then why don't we pray?

The most powerful force accessible to man is the potential of prayer...
...then why don't we pray?

The greatest longing in the heart of God is to talk to His children...
...then why don't we pray?

Nothing is impossible to those who pray...
...then why don't we pray?

No man ever fainted or faltered who gave himself to prayer...
...then why don't we pray?

Every sin is forgiven, every stain is washed clean, all guilt diminished to
the man who prays...
...then why don't we pray?

H ell moves farther away, satan flees from the man who prays...
...then why don't we pray?

Anointing will come, mountains will be moved, valleys made smooth, rivers
made crossable, the inaccessible made accessible, the impossible made
possible, dreams come through to the man who prays...
...then why don't we pray?

Jesus said that men ought always to pray...
...then why don't we pray?

Paul encouraged prayer without ceasing...
...then why don't we pray?

The riches of heaven are open to those who pray in His name...
...then why don't we pray?

Everyone can pray, the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the strong, the
weak, the child, the aged, the sinner, the prisoner, in any nation, in any
language, all can pray...
...then why don't we pray?

The Power of One Hail Mary


Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with Thee.
Blessed art Thou among 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 death. Amen.

Millions of Catholics often say the Hail Mary. Some repeat it hastily not
even thinking on the words they are saying. These following words may help
some say it more thoughtfully. They can give God's Mother great joy and
obtain for themselves graces that she wishes to give them.
One Hail Mary well said fills the heart of Our Lady with delight and obtains
for us indescribably great graces. One Hail Mary well said gives us more
graces than a thousand thoughtlessly said.

The Hail Mary is like a mine of gold that we can always take from but never
exhaust. Is it hard to say the Hail Mary well? All we have to do is to know
its value and understand its meaning.

St. Jerome tells us that "the truths contained in the Hail Mary are so
sublime, so wonderful that no man or Angel could fully understand them."

St. Thomas Aquinas, the Prince of Theologians, "the wisest of Saints and
holiest of wise men," as Leo XIII called him, preached for 40 days in Rome
on the Hail Mary, filling his hearers with rapture.

Father F. Suarez, the holy and learned Jesuit, declared when dying that he
would willingly give all the many learned books he wrote, all his life's
labors, for the merit of one Hail Mary prayerfully and devoutly said.

St. Mechtilde, who loved our Lady very much, was one day striving to compose
a beautiful prayer in her honor. Our Lady appeared to her, with the golden
letters on her breast of: "Hail Mary full of grace." She said to her:
"Desist, dear child, from your labor for no prayer you could possibly
compose would give me the joy and delight of the Hail Mary."

A certain man found joy in saying slowly the Hail Mary. The Blessed Virgin
in return appeared to him smiling and announced to him the day and hour that
he should die, granting him a most holy and happy death.

After death a beautiful white lily grew from his mouth having written on its
petals: "Hail Mary."

Cesarius recounts a similar incident. A humble and holy monk lived in the
monastery. His poor mind and memory were so weak that he could only repeat
one prayer which was the "Hail Mary." After death a tree grew over his grave
and on all its leaves was written: "Hail Mary."

These beautiful legends show us how much devotion to Our Lady was valued,
and the power attributed to the Hail Mary devoutly prayed.

Each time that we say the Hail Mary we are repeating the very same words
with which St. Gabriel the Archangel saluted Mary on the day of the
Annunciation, when she was made Mother of the Son of God.

Many graces and joys filled the soul of Mary at that moment.

Now when we say the Hail Mary we offer anew all these graces and joys to Our
Lady and she accepts them with Immense delight.

In return she gives us a share in these joys.

Once Our Lord asked St. Francis Assisi to give Him something. The Saint
replied: "Dear Lord, I can give You nothing for I have already given you
all, all my love." Jesus smiled and said: "Francis, give Me it all again and
again, it will give Me the same pleasure."

So with our dearest Mother, she accepts from us each time we say the Hail
Mary the joys and delight she received from the words of St. Gabriel.

Almighty God gave His Blessed Mother all the dignity, greatness and holiness
necessary to make her His own most perfect Mother. But He also gave her all
the sweetness, love, tenderness and affection necessary to make her our most
loving Mother. Mary is truly and really our Mother. As children when in
trouble run to their mothers for help, so ought we to run at once with
unbounded confidence to Mary.

St. Bernard and many Saints said that it was never, never heard at any time
or in any place that Mary refused to hear the prayers of her children on
earth.

Why do we not realize this most consoling truth? Why refuse the love and
consolation that God's Sweet Mother is offering us?

Is it our lamentable ignorance which deprives us of such help and
consolation.

To love and trust Mary is to be happy on earth now and afterwards to be
happy in Heaven.

Dr. Hugh Lammer was a staunch Protestant, with strong prejudices against the
Catholic Church. One day he found an explanation of the Hail Mary and read
it. He was so charmed with it that he began to say it daily. Insensibly all
his anti-Catholic animosity began to disappear. He became a Catholic, a holy
priest and a professor of Catholic Theology in Breslau.

A priest was called to the bedside of a man who was dying in despair because
of his sins. Yet he refused obstinately to go to confession. As a last
recourse the priest asked him to say at least the Hail Mary after which the
poor man made a sincere confession and died a holy death.

In England, a parish priest was asked to go and see a Protestant lady who
was gravely ill, and who wished to become a Catholic. Asked if she had ever
gone to a Catholic Church, or, if she had spoken to Catholics, or if she had
read Catholic books? She replied, "No, no." All she could remember was
that------when a child------she had learned from a little Catholic neighbor
girl the Hail Mary, which she said every night. She was Baptized and before
dying had the happiness of seeing her husband and children Baptized.

St. Gertrude tells us in her book, "Revelations" that when we thank God for
the graces He has given to any Saint, we get a great share of those
particular graces.

What graces, then, do we not receive when we say the Hail Mary while
thanking God for all the unspeakable graces He has given His Blessed Mother?