Community Chat

[DoubleJ]

We don't choose how or when we will die, but we do decide how we will live.
Lord, forgive my frequent drifting and help me to see clearly the best path
for me.


Scripture for the day:

"But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of
God dwells in you." ~Romans 8:9

Meditation for the day:

I cannot ascertain the spiritual with my intellect. I can only do it by my
own faith and spiritual faculties. I can sometimes think of God with my
heart as well as with my head. I can breathe in God's very spirit in the
life around me. I can keep my eyes turned toward the good things in the
world. I can empty my mind of all the limitations of material things. I
can sense the eternal.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that whatever is good I may have. I pray that I may leave to God the
choice of what good will come to me.

Hello everyone! It looks like I have to wait some more for the Q - I called
again this afternoon - only to get their answering machine and I left
another message for them to call back. I should be getting used to it, but
it's been a long time and it should be fixed!!! On the positive side, Sammy
jumped off the bed today - he hasn't been doing that since his leg hurts and
he didn't whimper - I saw him walk on all 4's, just a little limp, but not
all the time, he is getting better!!! I'm not giving him pain pills
anymore, not all day, and his nose is cold and wet, not like before when he
had a fever. The Vet called to see how he is, I told him he did throw up a
couple hours after his meds, but I should space them now, so I will. He
eats like a bird. He didn't eat a thing all day until supper a little
chicken from my chow mein. No dog food, it's always out. So no appetite,
but he does drink his water. It's really nice to see improvement coming
along. I'm sure he'll eat better soon too. He never was a heavy eater
anyway. Oh, just now it's raining! That's a blessing because we really
need it!! Praying for all of your needs and thanks much for your prayers
for us.


Thought I'd share with you this nice prayer for Parents:

Most loving, merciful and all-wise Father of all mankind, help me in my
divine task of parenthood. Help me see my children's problems through their
own eyes. Keep my own childhood ever before me so that I will not expect too
much.

Give me the patience of the silent stars. Give me a sense of humor. Help me
wil them through love rather than compel them through fear. Assist me to
help them see straight and to play the game according to the rules.
Enlighten me to teach them that every home is an altar and each good desire
a prayer. Help me live my own life above doubt or skepticism.

Prompt me to radiate faith in the basic goodness of life and to keep the
ideals of youth aglow in my own life. Give me a strong hand for guidance
when youth falters and would turn back.

Help me teach them to live bravely - to meet defeat courageously and to
realize that a person's real character is what he is when alone with himself
in the dark.

Inspire me to show them that the value of their lives will be measured by
the service they give; that true happiness is found -- not in things -- but
in the unfolding of their minds and souls.

Help me to make my life go on in theirs -- bigger, finer and nobler than I
ever dared to be. Amen.

Graces Through the Intercession of Saint Pio

A PRISONER SET FREE

During my life in prison I was in desperate need of comfort. Every day I
became more and more aware of Padre Pio's presence with me, I was glad
because I needed him badly.

At night the lights from the search lights shone around the prison wall, it
reflected through the windows of my cell and I saw Padre Pio's face before I
went to sleep every night. I had a true friend.

I, like many other Christians, did not really know how to pray or meditate,
but slowly with the help of Padre Pio I could sit for hours praying through
Padre Pio to Our Lord.

As weeks passed by, I was becoming whole again and I was beginning to
reflect an image to others that I was being re-habilitated. But I knew it
was because Padre Pio had found me and he was not going to let me go.

I know now that the Devil had his own way with the first part of my life,
but by the grace of God and intercession through Padre Pio, God will have
the second part.

From a Prisoner released from Durham Jail.

An Act of Love

An act of love need not be
a gesture great or grand…
A smile can work a miracle
and show you understand.
Being there in time of need
transcends the spoken word;
A helping hand is simply grand
when hearts begin to bleed.

A prayer is nothing till it’s heard
beyond the highest leaf,
But when it’s answered, oh my friend,
how strong is our belief!
An act of love may simply be
a smile, a hug, a kiss…
But it’s a joy for all to see
when troubles come like this.

Author Clay Harrison

A Prayer for Loved Ones

Lord, be their Shepherd,
Keep them with the flock,
Watch them and tend him,
Be their solid rock.

Don't let them falter,
Don't let them fall,
Wait with them, Father,
Be there for their call.

Hold their hand firmly,
The path grows so steep,
Wipe their tears gently,
Should they start to weep.

Teach them to follow,
In Your humble way,
Help them to walk,
In Your shadow each day.

Strengthen their body,
Weaken their will,
Should they deny You,
Stay with them still.

Give them Your shoulder,
On which they may rest,
Embrace them warmly,
Next to Your breast.

Please place Your hand,
Upon their dear head,
And give them Your blessing,
As their spirit is fed.

Quiet their mind,
Comfort their soul,
Put peace in their heart,
Make their life whole.

Give them a vision,
Of Your tender smile,
Let them feel loved,
All of the while.

Then Why Don't We Pray?

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?

He*ll 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?

Pass this on and encourage others to pray...

- Author Unknown

Words of wisdom: I've learned that ......

Author Unknown


I've learned that sometimes when my friends fight, I'm forced to choose
sides even when I don't want to.

I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't
love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their
actions.

I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that
friends change.

I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could
change your life forever.

I've learned that the clothes I like best are the ones with the most holes
in them.

I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see
something totally different.

I've learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will
eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.

I've learned that there are many ways of falling and staying in love.

I've learned that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with
themselves, get farther in life.

A TRIBUTE TO MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA
(1997 - Eternity)



"Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones" -Psalm
116:15

You saw Christ in the poorest of the poor, and the world saw Christ in you.

You were a shining beacon of Divine Light in a century of great darkness and
so few saints

Chesterton once said "Christianity hasn't been tried and found wanting, it
has been found difficult and not tried". But you are one of the few who
truly tried it and revealed its power to the world.

The press calls your falling asleep "a tragedy" and "a great loss". They say
you'll "live on in our hearts". Yet you are still very much alive in the
heart of Mother Church.

You have temporarily left your body, but not the Church. You are still
united with us in the Body of Christ; and in some mysterious way you are now
closer to us than you ever could have been before.

When I heard about your passing I felt uneasy about praying for your soul -
it seemed that you should be praying for me!

(Perhaps all the prayers we offer for you will be applied to the poorest of
the poor in purgatory).

I know the Vatican will ultimately canonize you, after following all the
necessary procedures. In the meantime I will treat every picture of you as
an ikon.

Though the Church has not lost you, I suppose the world has. It has lost a
tireless servant of the poor and a fearless prophetess for life.

Holy Teresa, pray that the poorest of the poor will never be without aid...

...pray that world leaders will finally take to heart your call to protect
all human life; a call they seem so unwilling to heed...

...pray that a hundred great saints may rise up in your place, to turn the
tide of evil in the world and usher in the long-awaited Springtime of the
Church...

...and please pray for me, an unworthy servant who will probably never
accomplish in her lifetime one-tenth of what you did in yours.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE
ORA PRO NOBIS