Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Use your talents. The world would be silent if only the birds
that sing the best would sing. Lord, I will use Your gifts
because You chose them especially for me.


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

"I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~Romans 8:38-39

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

God is our helper and our strength. We need not ask God to come to us.
God is always with us in spirit. At our moment of need God is there to
help us. If we knew God's love and God's desire to help us, we would
know that God needs no pleading for help. Our need is God's
opportunity. We can learn to rely on God's strength whenever we need
it. Whenever we feel inadequate to any situation, we can realize that
the feeling of inadequacy is, in its own way, disloyalty to God. We can
say to ourselves: I know that God is with me and will help me to think
and say and do the right thing.

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

I pray that I may never feel inadequate to any situation. I pray that I
may be buoyed up by the feeling that God is always with me.

Hello my friends! It's always nice to post our talents here - we all have
some - gifts from God! I'm not a seamstress, but I do other things, even
tho my sisters all can sew! I'm good at just playing the piano without
notes, singing sometime, and more, maybe more that I don't realize. Today
was busy - Sister LaDonna's last day with us here - Lori had a cancellation
this afternoon early, so she was able to drive Sister LaDonna to my sister's
who will be driving her to the shuttle tomorrow. The plan was do bring her
there tonight, but it all worked out well this way, now we all have the
night to ourselves. Otherwise it would have been late - an hour and a half
both ways and not much visiting. I went along.
The morning went fast, now my oldest sister, Deil, can visit with her longer
and that's good. So this was a blessing to all of us! We plan, but God is
full of surprises!
Praying for all of you for all your intentions and thank you for your
prayers for me.

Learn from Dogs

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure
ecstasy.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps. Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and
pout... run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them
gently.





KNOWING MY WORTH
Author Unknown


"Each one of you is a Son of God because of your faith in Christ
Jesus" - Galatians 3:26

Even as a child, this counselee of mine did not receive enough praises
or encouragement from her parents and siblings. Only criticisms when
she erred. Naturally, her self-esteem was damaged. And it took its
toll in her married life.

Now, her husband gone to another woman, she lives as a single mother
to two kids and she is struggling to find a way to support them - both
materially and emotionally. In our sessions, I focused on her self-
esteem because I knew it was her low self-worth that made her repeat
harmful behavior patterns, which is her real problem. She has to
realize that she was a child of God. And this means she is loved.

The root of all codependency is a love hunger, which can be filled by
the Lord mainly.

That is why there is hope for those of us with a broken past. A good
grounding in the Lord will see us through.

REMEMBER THE DUCK
-- Author Unknown
Aug 4, 2009


There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was
given a slingshot to play with, out in the woods. He practiced in the
woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little
discouraged, he headed back to dinner.

As he was walking back, he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of
impulse, he let fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it.
He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the
wood pile, only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but
she said nothing.

After lunch that day grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes."

But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the
kitchen today, didn't you Johnny?" And then she whispered to him,
"Remember, the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma
said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper."

But Sally smiled and said, "Well, that's all right because Johnny told
me he wanted to help." And she whispered again, "Remember, the duck?"
So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he
finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed
that he killed the duck. She knelt down, gave him a hug, and said,
"Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw
the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. But I was just
wondering how long would you let Sally make a slave of you."

I don't know what's in your past. I don't know what one sin the enemy
keeps throwing up in your face. But whatever it is, I want you to know
something. Jesus Christ was standing at the window and He saw the
whole thing. But because He loves you, He is ready to forgive you.
Perhaps He's wondering how long you'll let the enemy make a slave out
of you. The great thing about God is that He not only forgives, but He
forgets.






MY DAILY OFFERING

(As each day begins,
please try to lift your mind and heart
to your heavenly Father,
and offer to Him the new day He has given you.)


Most loving Father,
I thank You for the gift of this new day.
Please help me to use it for your honor and glory.
By Your grace,
may all my thoughts, words, and actions
be pleasing today in Your sight.
In Your great kindness,
Lord Almighty,
preserve me this day without sin,
and protect all people from every evil.
May the ever-blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of our Savior,
keep us under her protection and by her prayers,
and the aid of all your Saints,
keep us ever intent on doing good today for your sake.
We ask these blessings through Your Son,
Jesus Christ,
our Redeemer.
Amen.

(At times throughout the day,
it is well to pause briefly in the midst of your work
to renew your daily offering.
This can be done without words,
but simply by lifting the mind and heart
to your Father in heaven.
A simple external gesture of touching the heart
will confirm and strengthen your interior intentions.
As opportunity permits,
you may wish to pray verbally in this way.)

Again I thank You,
Father in heaven,
for the blessings and graces you have given me this day.
Once more I entreat Your continuing protection.
Conscious of my own weaknesses and frailty,
of my many faults,
I entrust myself and all dear to me to Your care.

(This prayer has been taken from a pamphlet written by the Good
Franciscan Mission Associates, PO Box 598, Mount Vernon, NY 10551-0598)

Never be discouraged
There is really nothing we need to know
or even try to understand
If we refuse to be discouraged
and trust God's guiding hand

So take heart and meet each minute
with faith in God's great love
Aware that every day of life
is controlled by God above

And never dread tomorrow
or what the future brings
Just pray for strength and courage
and trust God in all things

And never grow discouraged
be patient and just wait
For God never comes too early
and He never comes too late.

--Helen Steiner Rice

THINGS TO FORGET

Forget each kindness that you do,
As soon as you have done it.
Forget the praise that falls to you,
The moment you have won it.

Forget the slander that you hear,
Before you can repeat it.
Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer,
Whenever you may meet it.

Remember every promise made,
And keep it to the letter.
Remember those who lend you aid,
And be a grateful debtor.

Remember all the happiness
That comes your way in living.
Forget each worry and distress,
Be hopeful and forgiving.

Remember good, remember truth,
Remember heaven is above you.
And you will find, through age and youth,
That many will come to love you.

- Author Unknown

The Perfect Delivery

A number of months ago, my wife and I learned of the tragic story about a
young man, 26 years of age with a wife and two young children, who had
unexpectedly died while at work. This man of faith, whom I had the
pleasure of speaking with twice, turned out to be the younger brother of our
current next-door neighbor.
Although my wife and I knew very little about our neighbor, we did know her
to be part of a very tight-knit, loving family. No doubt her loss was a
difficult one. Of course, my wife and I had offered our sympathy
and support, in the way of food and cards; however, time had passed since
news of the loss, and we had not seen my neighbor in quite some time.

Last night, I saw our neighbor entering her house, and I began to think how
difficult the loss must be now that all of the cards and words of
encouragement have slowed or ceases. I felt a strong need to make contact
with her and offer further comfort, but I did not quite know how. It all
seemed so awkward.
So, on a whim, I said a prayer.
"God, I am sorry I have not fully offered and shown the compassion and
support to my neighbor which you offer and show to me each and every day.
God, I am not quite sure how to make contact with my neighbor,
since we have not spoken in a while. Please encourage me to overcome this
awkwardness and provide for me a way to approach her."

The next day, I went to check our mailbox. In the mailbox was a small
package, but it was not addressed to my wife or me. The address was not even
the address to our home. I was amazed when I studied the label.
The name and address was that of my neighbor. My neighbor's mail had been
placed into our mailbox.
Through the eyes of the world. this may be called a simple error. But
through the eyes of faith this was another perfect delivery from God. So
now, I hold this package in my hand, and I hold assurance in my
heart that God answers prayer. And more importantly, I know where I am
going. I am heading out the door to visit my neighbor, to offer her God's
comfort... and her mail.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything
according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever
we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” 1 1 John 5: 14-15.

The Our Father paraphrased by Saint Peter Julian Eymard
Our Father Who art in Heaven
In the heaven of the Eucharist, to You Who are seated on the throne of grace
and love, be benediction, and honor, and power and glory for ever and ever!


Hallowed be Your Name
first in myself, through the spirit of Your humility, obedience, and
charity. May I in all humility and zeal make You known, loved and adored by
all men in the Holy Eucharist.


Thy Kingdom come
Thy Eucharistic kingdom. Rule forever over us for Your greater glory through
the power of Your love, the triumph of Your virtues and the grace of a
Eucharistic vocation in my state as a layman. Grant me the grace of Your
love so that I may be able to effectively extend Your Eucharistic kingdom
everywhere and realize the desire You expressed: 'I have come to cast fire
on the earth; and what will I, but that it be kindled!' O that I might be
the incendiaries of this heavenly fire!


Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven
Grant me the grace to find all my joy in wanting You alone, in desiring You
alone and in thinking of You alone. Grant that by denying myself, I may find
light and life in obeying Your good, acceptable and perfect Will. I will
what You will. I will it because You will it. I will it as You will it. I
will it as long as You will it. Keep my thoughts and desires purely from
You, for You and in You.


Give us this day our daily bread
You are our Eucharistic Lord and You alone will be my food and clothing, my
riches and glory, my remedy in illness and my protection against all evil.
You will be all things to me.


And forgive us our trespasses
Forgive me Jesus, for I am sorry for all my sins just as they stand in Your
eyes.


As we forgive those who trespass against us
For anyone who has offended me in any way, with my whole heart I forgive
them and desire for them the gifts of Your love.


And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
Deliver me Jesus, from the demon of pride, impurity, discord and
complacency. Deliver me from the cares and worries of life so that with a
pure heart and a free mind I may joyfully spend my life and devote all that
I am and all that I have in the service of You my Eucharistic Lord.


Amen
In You, O Lord Jesus, have I hoped; let me not be confounded forever. You
alone are good. You alone are powerful. You alone are eternal. To You alone
be honor and glory, love and thanksgiving forever and ever.