Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Today do what you can and expect no more of yourself. Lord, I will
feel joy in my accomplishments today and gratitude for the things
I have to do tomorrow.

Scripture for the day:

"Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication."
~Ephesians 6:18

Meditation for the day:

Spirit-power comes from communication with God in prayer and times of quiet
meditation. I can constantly seek spirit-communication with God.
This is a matter between me and God, but can be enhanced by my relationships
with other believers. From this communication can come life, joy, peace and
healing. Many people do not realize the power that can come to them from
direct spirit-communication.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may feel that God's power is mine. I pray that I may be able
to face anything through that power.

Hello my friends! Today was the final time for our Marian Retreat. We
consecrated ourselves to Jesus through Mary after the Mass for Our Lady of
Guadeloupe (The Feast Day today) and it was so beautiful! It was a busy day
today with dog sitting for Ollie, but he was good, and didn't get in any
trouble and actually took some naps. That's a good thing! But tonight Lori
called that Darla is so sore that they may not be able to drive here for
Christmas and wondered if we could fly there instead, well, Linus is working
Christmas Eve day yet. I don't know what to do - we'll have to put this in
the hands of God and let Mary intercede for us on this, give us some
guidance. It would be hard not having them here for Christmas. If only we
weren't so far away from each other. Praying for you all - thanks for your
prayers for us!



The Candy Cane

A candy cane is more meaningful than just a sweet at Christmas....
It can remind us of Jesus.
Its shape is like a shepherd's staff.
Its wide red stripes remind us that Jesus shed his blood for our sins.
Its narrow red stripes reminds us that "by Hi stripe we are
healed"(Isaiah 53:5).
Its white stripes stands for purity - by his death we were made pure.
The peppermint flavor is similar to hyssop, which was used in Biblical
times for purification. (Psalms 51:7)
Its taste is sweet, as it is sweet to walk with Jesus.
Turn the candy cane upside down -- it becomes "J" for Jesus.

LOVE IN RETURN
Author Unknown

A long time ago, a girl named Li-Li got married and went to live with her
husband and mother-in-law. In a very short time, Li-Li found that she
couldn't get along with her mother-in-law at all. Their personalities were
very different, and Li-Li was angered by many of her mother-in-law's habits.
In addition, she criticized Li-Li constantly.

Days passed days, and weeks passed weeks. Li-Li and her mother-in-law never
stopped arguing and fighting. But what made the situation even worse was
that, according to ancient Chinese tradition, Li-Li had to bow to her
mother-in-law and obey her every wish. All the anger and unhappiness in the
house was causing the poor husband great distress.

Finally, Li-Li could not stand her mother-in-law's bad temper and
dictatorship any longer, and she decided to do something about it. Li-Li
went to see her father's good friend, Mr. Huang, who sold herbs. She told
him the situation and asked if he would give her some poison so that she
could solve the problem once and for all. Mr. Huang thought for a while, and
finally said, Li-Li, I will help you solve your problem, but you must listen
to me and obey what I tell you. Li-Li said, "Yes, Mr. Huang, I will do
whatever you tell me to do." Mr. Huang went into the back room, and returned
in a few minutes with a package of herbs. He told Li-Li, "You can't use a
quick-acting poison to get rid of your mother-in-law, because that would
cause people to become suspicious. Therefore, I have given you a number of
herbs that will slowly build up poison in her body. Every other day prepare
some delicious meal and put a little of these herbs in her serving. Now, in
order to make sure that nobody suspects you when she dies, you must be very
careful to act very friendly towards her. Don't argue with her, obey her
every wish, and treat her like a queen." Li-Li was so happy. She thanked Mr.
Huang and hurried home to start her plot of murdering her mother-in-law.

Weeks went by, and months went by, and every other day, Li-Li served the
specially treated food to her mother-in-law. She remembered what Mr.Huang
had said about avoiding suspicion, so she controlled her temper, obeyed her
mother-in-law, and treated her like her own mother. After six months had
passed, the whole household had changed. Li-Li had practiced controlling her
temper so much that she found that she almost never got mad or upset. She
hadn't had an argument in six months with her mother-in-law, who now seemed
much kinder and easier to get along with. The mother-in-law's attitude
toward Li-Li changed, and she began to love Li-Li like her own daughter. She
kept telling friends and relatives that Li-Li was the best daughter-in-law
one could ever find. Li-Li and her mother-in-law were now treating each
other like a real mother and daughter. Li-Li's husband was very happy to see
what was happening.

One day, Li-Li came to see Mr. Huang and asked for his help again. She said,
"Dear Mr. Huang, please help me to keep the poison from killing my
mother-in-law! She's changed into such a nice woman, and I love her like my
own mother. I do not want her to die because of the poison I gave her." Mr.
Huang smiled and nodded his head. "Li-Li, there's nothing to worry about. I
never gave you any poison. The herbs I gave you were vitamins to improve her
health. The only poison was in your mind and your attitude toward her, but
that has been all washed away by the love which you gave to her."

MORAL: Dear Friends have you ever realized that how you treat others is
exactly how they will treat you? There is a wise Chinese saying: "the person
who loves others will also be loved in return."

Who started Christmas?


This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas
shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row
of toys and everything else imaginable. And after hours of hearing both her
children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally
made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of
the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming,
taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every
single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on
our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who
sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car.
She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all
the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and
stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung
up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't
worry we already crucified him."

For the rest of the trip down, the elevator it was so quiet you could have
heard a pin drop. Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this
whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we
all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

--
Good friends are like stars......
You don't always see them,
but you always know they're there.

Prayer to the Coming Savior

Jesus, our Lord, save me from my sins. Come, protect me from all dangers and
lead me to salvation.

Come! Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love:
teach me to walk in the paths of knowledge!

Come! Leader of ancient Israel, giver of the Law of Moses on Sinai: rescue
me with Your might power!

Come! Flower of Jesse's stem, sign of God's love for all His people: save me
without delay!

Come! Key of David, opening the gates of God's eternal Kingdom: free the
prisoners of darkness!

Come, Emmanuel, God's presence among us, our King, our Judge: save us, Lord
our God!

Come, King of all nations, source of Your Church's unity and faith: save all
mankind, Your own creation!

Come, Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, Sun of Justice: shine on
those lost in the darkness of death!

Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay; give new courage to Your people who trust in
Your love. By Your coming, raise us to the joy of Your Kingdom, where you
live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.