Community Chat

[gloriajean]

When you have faith in yourself and God, you will know that you are loved

and safe and never alone. Lord, I am these things because You are always

with me.

Scripture for the day:

"If God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow

is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you--you of little

faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to

drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that

strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as

well." ~Luke 12:28-31

Meditation of the day:

I know that God cannot teach anyone who is trusting in a "crutch." I can

throw away the worldly things I have come to depend upon and walk in God's

power and spirit. God's power can so invigorate me that I can indeed walk

on to victory. There is never any limit go God's power.

I can go step by step, one day at a time. God's will can be revealed to me

as

I go forward.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may have more and more dependence on God. I pray that I may

throw away the "crutches" I sometimes use for excuses.

Hello my friends! Today at the dentist I find out that there's not one but

two teeth back there that need to be extracted - Dec. 26th. Not looking

forward to this, but it has to be done, and I suppose I'll be plenty sore

for a long time, but at least I'll be ok for Christmas - which is a great

blessing. It doesn't hurt either, just a big hole in the tooth there. A

crown would be way too costly, so it's cheaper to get them out and the

dentist says I don't need them anyway. Today I worked for Lori - after my

perm - I was just there - no one came to buy gift cert. but her clients did

after they were through and were paying. But you never know, sometimes

someone will call for some or just walk in. Just two more days and I'm

through. Got all my Christmas cards out yesterday at work there! I'm

grateful that my dear husband had the day off today and will until Saturday,

Sunday and Monday. Glad too that his boss is letting him have his desires,

of two short days a week starting in January and no weekends anymore - just

to have some assurance of money coming in if he has some days he doesn't

sell Lighthouse. Some jobs there he likes to do - merchandizing etc. He

enjoys stuff like that - just not being on his feet for 7 or 8 hours. His

boss has always liked him! I heard from some of our dear friends who used

to post here, Lucky4, Jodi, and Onthebay. They all are doing fine - and

that's a blessing to know. I've been missing them! Praying for you all for

your needs, thanks for your prayers for us.

--A CHRISTMAS ALPHABET

A is for Angels, appearing so bright,

Telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.

B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old,

Birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.

C is for Cattle, their manger His bed,

There in the stable where He laid His head.

D is for David and his ancient throne

Promised forever to Jesus alone.

E is for East, where shone the bright star

Which Magi on camels followed afar.

F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold,

Brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.

G is for God, who from heaven above

Sent down to mankind the Son of His love.

H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme

Was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.

I is for Immanuel, "God with us,"

For Christ brought man back to the Father's house.

J is for Joseph so noble and just,

Obeying God's word with absolute trust.

K is for King. A true king He would be,

Coming in power and authority.

L is for Love that He brought down to earth

That night in the stable in lowly birth.

M is for Mary, His mother so brave,

Counting God faithful and mighty to save.

N is for Night, when the Savior was born

For nations of earth and people forlorn.

O is for Omega, meaning "the last;"

He's eternal: present, future and past.

P is for Prophets, when living on earth

Foretold His redemption and blessed birth.

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard

Hastened to act on that heavenly word.

R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is

Banished forever when Jesus comes in.

S is for Savior. To be this He came;

The angel of God assigned Him His name.

T is for Tidings related to all,

Telling of Him who was born in a stall.

U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given

To show us the way and take us to heaven.

V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage,

God's revelation on prophecy's page.

Matthew 1:23

W is for Wonderful, His works and His words,

The King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.

X is for Christ. It's X in the Greek,

Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.

Y is for Yes, called God's Yes in His Word;

God's answer to all is Jesus the Lord.

Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ's heart.

Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.

Christmas Recipe !

1/2 cup of Hugs

4 teaspoons kisses

4 cups of Love

1 cup of Holiday Cheer

1/2 cup of Peace on Earth

3 teaspoons of Christmas Cheer

2 cups of Goodwill Towards Men

1 Sprig of Mistletoe

1 Medium size bag of Christmas Snowflakes

Mix Hugs, Kisses, Smiles, and Love until consistent.

Blend in Holiday Cheer, Peace on Earth,

Christmas Spirit and Goodwill Toward Men.

Use the mixture to fill a large, warm heart where it

can be stored for a lifetime, for it never goes bad!

Serve as desired under Mistletoe, sprinkle liberally with

Christmas Snowflakes

it is especially good when accompanied by Christmas

carols and family get-together.

Serve to one and all!

Two Frogs - Be Special To Others

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods when two of them fell into

a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how

deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with

all their might.

The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and

gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd

of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder

and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not

hear us?" The frog communicated to them that he was deaf. He thought they

were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to

someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill

them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.

The power of words ... it is sometimes hard to understand that an

encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to

rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the

individual who will take the time to encourage another.

Are you ready??

"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh

As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high...

Then wearily sat for a moment AND READ

Til soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.

Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream,

"Ready for Christmas, what do you mean?"

She woke with a start and a cry of despair.

"There's so little time and I've still to prepare.

Oh, Father! Forgive me, I see what You mean!

Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree.

It's the heart swept clean that He wanted to see,

A heart that is free from bitterness and sin.

So be ready for Christmas - and ready for Him.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, I want to be ready for Jesus today and everyday. I come to You

now in repentance for my sins: my sin of selfishness, stubbornness, and

rebellion. I turn from my self-centeredness today and commit to keep my

focus on You. God, I cannot do this on my own. I am not able. So I ask that

you fill me with the power of Your Holy Spirit Who empowers me to obey.

Thank You that You have given me every thing I need for a life of godliness

and truth. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit

within me. In Jesus' name, amen.

Christmas in prison..

Sister Maurella Schlise, a Catholic nun from Fargo, South Dakota, was

spending

the holidays with her family in Florida, and planning a visit to a nearby

maximum

security prison on Christmas Eve. "My sister Rosemary and her husband

conduct

a weekly prayer meeting there, and they invited me along," Sister says.

Although

visitors are not allowed to bring food to the prison, the rules had been

relaxed

for Christmas. Rosemary planned to fill little bags with homemade cookies

and candy for the men. For many, it would be their only gift.

That morning, Sister Maurella attended mass. She was thinking about the

inmates, wondering if they could actually experience Christmas behind bars,

when she sensed God's presence, and a message. "Bring one hundred

bags to the prison," it seemed to say.

One hundred! That seemed far too many for Rosemary's usual group of 30 or 40

men. Had the words just been Sister's imagination? Sister talked it over

with Rosemary. "Well..." Rosemary decided, "It's a lot, but I'd rather have

too many than not enough."

The women spent the day filling one hundred white bags with goodies, then

carefully packed the car. As they came through the prison gates, the

chaplain

flagged them down. "The chapel is packed!" he exclaimed. Sister was glad

they had brought extras.

Instead of Rosemary and Pat conducting a meeting, they were surprised to

discover

that the convicts themselves had prepared a Christmas program. An inmate

with a vibrant voice sang the poignant story of the Little Drummer Boy.

Another did the Ave Maria. Several read inspirational pieces, and some

prayed. The chapel was hushed, small candles providing the only light.

Finally the program ended, and the men eagerly lined up. Sister Maurella and

Rosemary handed each a white bag. But when all the bags were gone, there

were ten men still standing in line---and no more candy to give away.

Sister stood, shocked and dismayed. How could this have happened? If God

had truly spoken to her that morning, why hadn't He told her to bring one

hundred and ten bags? What should they do? "God, multiply the bags,"

Rosemary prayed silently.

But a young convict had also seen their dilemma. "Sister," he spoke

quietly,

"we others....we'll share our bags with them."

Sister looked at the faces surrounding her. Men of every color and

nationality, murderers, thieves... But men who now, because of His

birthday,

were willing to reach out to others, to give, to care. Tears pricked her

eyes.

Suddenly a prison trustee entered the chapel, carrying a sack. "Rosemary,

we had some leftovers from a group that came this morning," he said.

"Can you use these?"

Rosemary took the sack. Inside were ten white bags, each filled with sweets.

Everyone rejoiced as the remaining men received their treats, especially

Sister.

She had wondered if Christmas could come in a prison, but now she knew.

Where love is, God is.

ADVENT PRAYER

Heavenly Father, make me attentive to your Word, make me respectful towards

its depths and courageous towards its challenge. Help me to grow in

appreciation of your Son, Jesus by doing as Mary did, pondering and

treasuring in her heart all that he said and did. Help me to say the Rosary

in that spirit so that when I am called I may answer promptly, generously

and fully. Amen.

Padre Pio on Christmas

So plentiful, O Christians

are the lessons that shine forth

from the grotto of Bethlehem!

Oh how our

hearts should be on fire

with love for the one who

with such tenderness was

made flesh for our sakes!

Oh how we should burn

with desire to lead the

whole world to this lowly cave,

refuge of the King of kings,

greater than any

worldly palace, because

it is the throne and

dwelling place of God!

Let us ask this Divine

child to clothe us with

humility, because only

by means of this virtue

can we taste the fullness

of this mystery of Divine

tenderness.