What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. They are but trifles, to be sure but, scattered along life's pathway. Prayers, Psalms and Proverbs even Photos are for everyone to reflect upon and enjoy...please feel free to copy or reproduce any or part thereof.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Source of Joy and Peace
"Open my eyes to the wonderful truths in your law. I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your laws. Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me. Then I will have an answer for those who taunt me, for I trust in your word. Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for my only hope is in your laws. I will keep on obeying your lay forever and forever. May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O Lord, that your decisions are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your law is my delight. Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble."
Psalm 119:18, 30, 41-44, 74-77, 165
Monday, December 25, 2006
Peace in Relationships
"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender hearted, mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must take allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace.
Colossians 3:12-15
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
For You are the Greatest...Our God
O Lord our God, we thank you for the gift of our jobs to sustain us.
We are ever so thankful Lord God for all the blessings bestowed upon us.
Look upon us with kindness and accept our humble offering of prayer for our concerns.
Father you know what lies deep within our hearts even before we speak it.
You are the Alpha and the Omega, the First and theLast, the Beginning and the End and all perfect gift comes from You alone.
You are the Fount of all grace and the source of all life.
Look upon us with kindess and in Your mercy, hear and answer our prayer.
Lord You are all knowing and You already heard the prayer petitions that we bring unto You...but You love it when many come and gather as one in spirit to have the same intention that many may come to know and see Your great power.
That Your Power may be unfolded to many and thus increase our faith.
Father we praise You, we bless You and we adore You.
May Your Holy Name be praised forever as we come before You in faith ...
believing in our hearts that it only takes to believe to see a miracle and yes Lord,we
believe...Jesus King of Mercy, we put our full faith and trust in You...
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Five Finger Prayer
1.Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
2. The first finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The second finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. The third finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you. " Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
Decide to pray for a friend, brighten someone's day! Copy and send this on to someone special... I did.
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
2. The first finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The second finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. The third finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you. " Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
Decide to pray for a friend, brighten someone's day! Copy and send this on to someone special... I did.
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Thank You God!
Dear GOD: I want to thank You for what you have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears ; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now. I am thanking you because I am alive. I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles. I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do moreand do better. I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.
This was emailed tome, shared by a friend...please share it to others will you.
My Birth
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalms 139:13-17
It's a great gift enough o Father that I was born in Your likeness. Send forth Your guardian angels to watch, guide and protect my senses always, that I should only absorb what is coming from You. For my flesh is weak to the invites of this earth. And as always Father, please forgive me so that if my time to leave this body, I will be so clean in Your glory. For my coming birthday Father...I THANK YOU!
Monday, October 02, 2006
PRAYER OF PERSONAL GRATITUDE TO GOD:
PRAYER OF PERSONAL GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR HIS BLESSING: My God and my all! Dear Lord, make this the frequent cry of my heart! Let me never forget how very truly You are my all. All the good things which have made my life worthwhile, not only those which I know, but also those of which I am unaware, every one of these things is a loving gift from You. No matter how much I desire my own good, You think of my good and provide for my welfare far more than I ever could. Lord, let me prove my deep gratitude, not just with words, but as You desire. I wish to prove it with a daily life which seeks first and foremost to please You. I want to take each gift of Yours today and return it to You by my intelligent and unselfish use of it. In my dealings with people, I hope to treat them with the generosity, love, and consideration which You have shown to me. In all my thoughts, words, and actions today, I hope to shout a heartfelt "Thank You" to You. AMEN.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
The Rosary
If and just in case you haven't done praying the Rosary...this website will guide you through it. Remember, that in praying the Rosary, we are seeking the interscession of saints and holy, especially Virgin Mary, the most obedient of all. The mother of Jesus.
http://www.pacifier.com/~rosarweb/howto.htm
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Prayer for the Home
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Prayers for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Spirit, divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore you and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints.I give you my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg you to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that I may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve you for the future with increased fervor, follow with more propmtness Your holy inspirations, and observe Your divine precepts with greater fidelity.Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation.Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things in this meserable world. Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end, so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the hapiness of possesing Him eternally in the next. Amen!
St. Alphonsus Liguori
St. Alphonsus Liguori
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Give Us Grateful Hearts
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Prayer for trust in Jesus
O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose,
Your will through all things.
- St. Ignatius of Loyola
Saturday, June 24, 2006
I Can't Miss Sharing It...
Letters from God
A U.S. ambassador resides in a foreign country and yet lives on U.S.-owned property. Though the laws of that land may differ from ours, the ambassador is still responsible to uphold the laws and rules of his own government. His words and actions can never be wholly his for he does not act in his own capacity. When he speaks, he is a messenger for his government. When he acts, his deeds reflect on the country he represents. We are Christ's ambassadors and therefore his messengers. Too often we think that the message we preach reflects our faith. However, on a much deeper level it is the message of our everyday words and actions that are influential. We are the letter from God that people read. We become unreliable messengers when we speak crudely, gossip about a neighbor, or act dishonestly.
Our words and actions reflect God, who lives inside us, to people who never open a Bible or enter a church. Never forget that you are an ambassador for Christ and a messenger of hope. Ask his Spirit to empower you to deliver the Good News with your life and words.
LORD, thank you for allowing me to be your ambassador. Let my message be honest and true. Help me to encourage others and to go out of my way to speak a kind word. Forgive me for times when I have spoken without thinking. Let me live in such a way that my words and actions represent you so that my message may be one of love and hope.
Adapted from The One Year® Book of Praying through the Bible by Cheri Fuller, Tyndale House Publishers (2003), entry for April 21.
A U.S. ambassador resides in a foreign country and yet lives on U.S.-owned property. Though the laws of that land may differ from ours, the ambassador is still responsible to uphold the laws and rules of his own government. His words and actions can never be wholly his for he does not act in his own capacity. When he speaks, he is a messenger for his government. When he acts, his deeds reflect on the country he represents. We are Christ's ambassadors and therefore his messengers. Too often we think that the message we preach reflects our faith. However, on a much deeper level it is the message of our everyday words and actions that are influential. We are the letter from God that people read. We become unreliable messengers when we speak crudely, gossip about a neighbor, or act dishonestly.
Our words and actions reflect God, who lives inside us, to people who never open a Bible or enter a church. Never forget that you are an ambassador for Christ and a messenger of hope. Ask his Spirit to empower you to deliver the Good News with your life and words.
LORD, thank you for allowing me to be your ambassador. Let my message be honest and true. Help me to encourage others and to go out of my way to speak a kind word. Forgive me for times when I have spoken without thinking. Let me live in such a way that my words and actions represent you so that my message may be one of love and hope.
Adapted from The One Year® Book of Praying through the Bible by Cheri Fuller, Tyndale House Publishers (2003), entry for April 21.
Monday, June 19, 2006
A Father's Prayer
This is the best dowry of hopes, wishes and prayers I would be able to offer:
May God give you the grace of wit and wisdom to understand that rainbows are only the result of showers, dust, and hope.
May you always have joy in the morning and trust in the evening and may your sorrows be short and without scars.
May your lives have a spirit neither bent by belligerence nor broken by failure; may you simply love each other.
May you share with each other spring flowers, dirty dishes, music, rain, death, mushrooms, a measure of boredom, strawberries, and God.
May that God never make you immune to the wonderful afflictions of real love, making you instead farsighted to each other's faults, tongue-tied to criticism, and short of memory to petty hurts and slights.
May God provide the confidence and serenity that comes only from the assurance of each other's fidelity and the tolerance, as years go by, of wrinkles and gray hairs, short tempers, curlers, and Monday mornings.
May no one steal from you laughter at the top of the stairs or giggles and whispers in a dark room.
May you keep a hunger for each other, the appetite to taste tomorrow, and deep knowledge of and devotion to your past, heritage and families.
May you perpetuate trust, the radiation of vitality, kind answers to sharp questions and sharp humor to unkind attitudes.
May your fights be fierce and short, and may each truce be warm and long and held in each other's arms before the sun comes up.
May you walk with wise men, sing loud songs at late hours, share secrets, have healthy children, and provide smiles for lonesome strangers and prayers for those without hope.
May you never forget small things; smiles, birthdays, holding hands, family, old friends, the neglected, and the simplicity of saying please and thank you.
May you keep a warm, generous, and happy house where love is the insulation and God is present.
May your children be friends of God's child, Jesus.
May your union bring a smile to the face of the Holy Spirit and may he live in your pots and pans, in your hope and aspirations.
- Author Unknown
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Graduation Prayer
Father, I have knowledge, so will You show me now,
How to use it wisely and find a way somehow
To make the world I live in a little better place,
And make life with its problems a little bit easier to face.
Grant me faith and courage and put purpose in my days,
And show me how to serve Thee in effective ways.
So my education, my knowledge and my skill
May find their true fulfillment as I learn to do Thy will.
And may I ever be aware in everything I do,
That knowledge comes from learning, and wisdom comes from You.
Amen.
How to use it wisely and find a way somehow
To make the world I live in a little better place,
And make life with its problems a little bit easier to face.
Grant me faith and courage and put purpose in my days,
And show me how to serve Thee in effective ways.
So my education, my knowledge and my skill
May find their true fulfillment as I learn to do Thy will.
And may I ever be aware in everything I do,
That knowledge comes from learning, and wisdom comes from You.
Amen.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Where Our Faith Can Be v.s. Philosophical Flawed
INTERESTING CONVERSATION
An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty. He asks one of his new Christian students to stand and.....
Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son?
Student : Yes, sir.
Prof : So you believe in God?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Prof : Is God good?
Student : Sure.
Prof : Is God all-powerful?
Student : Yes.
Prof : My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm? (Student is silent.)
Prof : You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?
Student :Yes.
Prof : Is Satan good?
Student : No.
Prof : Where does Satan come from?
Student : From...God...
Prof : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Prof : Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Prof : So who created evil? (Student does not answer.)
Prof : Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student :Yes, sir.
Prof : So, who created them?
(Student has no answer.)
Prof : Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?
Student : No, sir.
Prof : Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student : No , sir.
Prof : Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Prof : Yet you still believe in Him?
Student : Yes.
Prof : According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof : Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof : Yes.
Student : No sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof : Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof : So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof : Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Prof : If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.) Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class is in uproar.)
Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it?.....No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Prof : I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student : That is it sir.. The link between man & God is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.
- Anonymous (submitted by a friend)
An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty. He asks one of his new Christian students to stand and.....
Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son?
Student : Yes, sir.
Prof : So you believe in God?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Prof : Is God good?
Student : Sure.
Prof : Is God all-powerful?
Student : Yes.
Prof : My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm? (Student is silent.)
Prof : You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?
Student :Yes.
Prof : Is Satan good?
Student : No.
Prof : Where does Satan come from?
Student : From...God...
Prof : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Prof : Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Prof : So who created evil? (Student does not answer.)
Prof : Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student :Yes, sir.
Prof : So, who created them?
(Student has no answer.)
Prof : Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?
Student : No, sir.
Prof : Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student : No , sir.
Prof : Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Prof : Yet you still believe in Him?
Student : Yes.
Prof : According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof : Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof : Yes.
Student : No sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof : Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof : So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof : Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Prof : If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.) Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class is in uproar.)
Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it?.....No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Prof : I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student : That is it sir.. The link between man & God is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.
- Anonymous (submitted by a friend)
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Matt 9:9-17
9) As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. 10) And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 11) And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12) But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13) Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." 14) Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15) And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16) And no one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17) Neither is new wine put in old wineskins; if it is, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, so both are preserved."
2 Cor 4:8-11,14
"Triumph of the Cross"
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying in the body the death of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake,
so that the life of Jesus may be manifestedin our mental flesh...
knowing that He who raised the Lord will raise us also with Jesus"
INNER RICHES
This is from the newsletters of the Holy Spirit adoration sisters.
INNER RICHES
It is a universal truth: to be human is to hunger for riches. That is the way we were made, with a built-in lack and a deep-deated need for the riches that are meant to supply our innate poverty. It is as if God, when He created us, placed an endless empty space in our hearts that cries out for satisfaction and fulfillment. The kind of riches we live and die for depends on the degree of our perceptiveness. Or we could also call it grace. For it is grace that makes the difference between a person who slaves day and night for the riches the world has to offer, and another who is forever restless for the treasures of the spirit. It takes grace, because the richest that come from God, like deep faith, wisdom of heart, peace of soul and the delights of divine intimacy, in other words the very possesion of God Himself- which is the real purpose of all His other gifts-is treasure of adifferent order altogether from those that pertainprimarily to our senses, such as large bank deposits, elegant jewelries, luxurious mansions, expensive clothes and the latest car models. Inner riches refer to the treasures that adorn our spirit once we are in close union with the Holy Triune God. The greater our union with the Three Divine Persons, the richer our inmost spirit becomes. And there is no limit to this spiritual wealth because God is limitless. Ever new wonders, ever fresh discoveries of the infinite riches of His glory and power and love will mark our life in time and throughout eternity.
PRAYER FOR FRIENDSHIP
God, why is it so hard to get close to people, to let people get close to me to make friends? Is it because I've been hurt before and am afraid to be vulnerable again? Is it because I think others will take advantage of my openness? Your Son had twelve close friends. One sold Him for thirty pieces of silver. Another denied that he ever knew Him. The rest ranaway when he needed them most. Jesus even predicted these things - yet He didn't shut Himself off fromfriendship. Make me willing to take the risk, too. Help me to realize that, ultimately, in opening to another human being we are opening ourselves to You. AMEN.
A prayer offered by a friend.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Prayer for Those Who Mourn
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Let's Share Some Laughs, or Maybe a Smile.
My Evil Brother Was a Saint...
There were two evil brothers. They were rich and used their money to keep their ways from the public eye. They even attended the same church and looked to be perfect Christians.
Then, their pastor retired and a new one was hired. Not only could he see right through the brothers' deception, but he also spoke well and true, and the church started to swell in numbers. A fundraising campaign was started to build a new assembly. All of a sudden, one of the brothers died. The remaining brother sought out the new pastor the day before the funeral and handed him a check for the amount needed to finish paying for the new building. "I have only one condition," he said. "At his funeral, you must say my brother was a saint." The pastor gave his word and deposited the check. The next day at the funeral, the pastor did not hold back. "He was an evil man," he said. "He cheated on his wife and abused his family." After going on in this vein for a small time, he concluded with, "But, compared to his brother, he was a saint."
There were two evil brothers. They were rich and used their money to keep their ways from the public eye. They even attended the same church and looked to be perfect Christians.
Then, their pastor retired and a new one was hired. Not only could he see right through the brothers' deception, but he also spoke well and true, and the church started to swell in numbers. A fundraising campaign was started to build a new assembly. All of a sudden, one of the brothers died. The remaining brother sought out the new pastor the day before the funeral and handed him a check for the amount needed to finish paying for the new building. "I have only one condition," he said. "At his funeral, you must say my brother was a saint." The pastor gave his word and deposited the check. The next day at the funeral, the pastor did not hold back. "He was an evil man," he said. "He cheated on his wife and abused his family." After going on in this vein for a small time, he concluded with, "But, compared to his brother, he was a saint."
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Prayer of Humility
Incline us O God, and let us be focused humbly of ourselves, to be saved only in the examination of our own conduct, to consider our fellow-creatures with kindness, and to judge of all they say and do with the charity which we would desire from them ourselves. Let every move that we make be offered to mankind without the feeling of desire of getting credit nor acknowledgment on every good deed and things that we participate in. Let us feel to continuously allow ourselves to offer more rather than to receive more. For we know the we already received the share of Your grace and we are only sharing the overflows. Let us seek less that we can offer more Father, and that in your mercy and grace, we can always do things according to Your will. Amen.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.
- St. Francis of Assisi
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Dear Lord, I Thank You!
Dear Lord, I thank You for this day.
I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are a forgiving and an understanding God.
You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything I have done wrong, said, or thought that was not pleasing to you.
Please send forth Your angels to watch over me to keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day with a clear mind that I can hear from You. Broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Teach me how to respond when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak...Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement and lead others.
I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way.
I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those who ask selfishly, that they may find the spirit of love in giving and sharing the grace of God that You bestowed.
I pray for those who do not believe.
I thank you Father that I believe, though I am still weak and fall so often.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers and for each and every family member in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy in our homes that we may be out of debt and all that our needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God.
That every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
I pray that these words will be received and implanted in the hearts of every eye that sees and read it. That they will be guided by Your love, grace and joy that is truly Your divine mission.
I praise You for Your goodness and I thank You for your mercy and pardon.
May Your kingdom come with our prepared souls and Your will be done without struggle in the heart of every man. May we always glorify in Your name as our Father, Son and the most Holy Spirit in one true God. AMEN!
Friday, May 26, 2006
The Resume of Jesus Christ
Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible.
Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus
Hello. My name is Jesus -The Christ . Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.
Qualifications:
I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)Occupational Background: I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).
I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)
Skills Work Experiences:
Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
I am Wonderful, Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6).
People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil,(See Proverbs 1:33).
Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)
Educational Background:
I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).
Major Accomplishments:
I was an active participant in the greatest SummitMeeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26).
I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).
I defeated the arch enemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15).
I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and Raised the dead! There are many more major accomplishments, too many to Mention here. You can read them on my website, which is Located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.
References:
Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance. In Summation Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only Candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in Your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (SeeJohn 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (SeeHebrews 3:15).
(Copied Resume, approved for public exhibit and reproduction.)
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Your Level of Living Depends on Your Level of Giving
Conventional wisdom says that your life will be better if you keep everything you have for yourself. However, God clearly says that your life will be better if you work to make another person's life better.
In Galatians 6:7-9, Paul writes, Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
In other words, what you give to others will affect how they give to you; the amount of love, patience, and kindness that you show to others will affect the amount that they show to you. This principle of giving and receiving applies to many areas of life. For example, if you invest an hour a day into exercising, then you will reap the benefits of that investment—a strong, healthy body. However, if you invest that same time into flipping channels on T.V., then you will reap the benefits of that investment—a wasted hour.
Paul isn't just talking about money or time; in fact, he is focusing on giving into the lives of others. In the very next verse, Galatians 6:10, Paul instructs believers: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. If you "do good" to others by giving into their lives, then you will benefit.
So, if you don't feel like you're getting the love you should get, then maybe you should ask yourself if you're giving the love you should give. Why? Because you reap what you sow. If you give love, you'll receive love. If you give friendship, you'll receive friendship. If you give mercy, you'll receive mercy. (It is important to note that you may not always receive from the same place you give.)
Therefore, decide to give freely to others, actively look for ways to be a blessing to other people, and deliberately go out of your way to walk in love. Then, watch as the benefits of that giving affect your life. Remember, your level of living depends on your level of giving.
Pain is God's megaphone.
When life is going well, it can be easy to forget God. So, sometimes God will use painful circumstances -- difficulties, trials, and troubles -- to get our attention and remind us of our need for Him.
In James 1:2-4, we are instructed to rejoice in trials: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Why are trials good for us? Because they make us more mature -- that is, closer to God. So, when you feel the pain of life know that God is with you.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Put Courage Into My Heart
Lord, put courage into my heart, and take away all that may hinder me serving you. Free my tongue to proclaim your goodness, that all may understand me. Give me friends to advise and help me, that by working together our efforts may bear abundant fruit. And, above all, let me constantly remember that all my actions are in vain unless they are guided by your hand.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Prayer for Help With Finances
Dear God,
I surrender my financial affairs and concerns about money to your Divine care and love. I ask that you remove my worries, anxieties, and fears about money, and replace them with faith. I know and trust that my debts will be paid and money will flow into my life. I have only to look to nature to see proof of the abundance you provide. I release all negative thoughts about money, and know that prosperity is my true state. I commit to being grateful for all that I now have in my life. I learn to manage my finances wisely, seeking help where needed. And finally, I ask you to help me understand my purpose in life and to act on that purpose with courage and strength. I know that prosperity will come, in part, by doing work I love. Please help me use my skills and knowledge to be of service in the world. Thank you God, for the abundance and multitude of blessings in Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!
- Lynn Robinson
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Easter Prayer for Renewal
Lord, send me a surprise.
One that catches me off guard
and makes me wonder.
Like Easter.
Send me a resurrection
when everything looks dead and buried.
Send me light
when the night seems too long.
Send me spring
when the cold and frozen season
seems endless.
Send me an idea
when my mind is empty.
Send me a thing to do
when I am just waiting around.
Send me a new friend
when I am alone. Send me peace
when I'm afraid. Send me a future
when it looks hopeless.
Send me Your resurrection
when I die, Jesus.
- Rev. Dr. Herbert Brokering
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Bless Our Family
All praise to You, Lord Jesus,
Lover of children:
Bless our family,
And help us to lead our children to You.
Give us light and strength,
And courage when our task is difficult.
Let Your Spirit fill us with love and peace,
So that we may help our children to love You.
All glory and praise are Yours, Lord Jesus,
For ever and ever.Amen.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Bedtime Prayer
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Prayer of Thanks to Jesus
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Teach Me to Pray
My Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of Thee. Thou and Thou alone knowest my needs. Thou lovest me more than I am able to love Thee. O Father, grant unto me, Thy servant, all which I cannot ask. For a cross I dare not ask, nor for consolation; I dare only to stand in Thy presence. My heart is open to Thee. Thou seest my needs of which I myself am unaware. Behold and lift me up! In Thy presence I stand, awed and silenced by Thy will and Thy judgments, into which my mind cannot penetrate. To Thee I offer myself as a sacrifice. No other desire is mine but to fulfill Thy will. Teach me how to pray. Do Thyself pray within me. Amen.
- St. Philaret of Moscow
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Prayer of Repentance
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all; we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we, from time to time most grievously have committed by thought, word and deed against Thy Divine Majesty, provoking most justly they wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous upon us; the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us most merciful Father; for Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake. Forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever serve and please Thee in newness of life, to the honour and glory of Thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Thomas Cranmer
Friday, February 24, 2006
How HE Forgives...
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." John 8:1-11
Walking in the Way of Jesus
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Monday, January 30, 2006
COME HOLY SPIRIT
Replace the tension within us
with a holy relaxation.
Replace the turbulence within us
with a sacred calm.
Replace the anxiety within us
with quiet confidence.
Replace the fear within us
with a strong faith.
Replace the bitterness within us
with the sweetness of grace.
Replace the darkness within us
with a gentle light.
Replace the coldness within us
with a loving warmth.
Replace the night within us
with your day.
Replace the winter within us
with your spring.
Straighten our crookedness.
Fill our emptiness.
Dull the edge of our pride,
sharpen the edge of our humility.
Light the fires of our love,
quence the flames of our lust.
Let us see ourselves as you see us.
That we may see you as you have promised.
And be fortunate according to your Word.
"Blessed are the pureof heart for they shall see God."
Msgr. John J. Dougherty
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Prayer for Those Who Has Passed
Almighty God,
we remember this day before thee
thy faithful servant _______;
and we pray that,
having opened to him the gates of larger life,
thou wilt receive him more and more
into thy joyful service,
that, with all who have faithfully served thee in the past,
he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord;
who live and reign with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
we remember this day before thee
thy faithful servant _______;
and we pray that,
having opened to him the gates of larger life,
thou wilt receive him more and more
into thy joyful service,
that, with all who have faithfully served thee in the past,
he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord;
who live and reign with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer for Peaceful Sleep
Lord God, send peaceful sleep
to refresh our tired bodies.
May your help always renew us
and keep us strong in your service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Into your hands, O Lord,
we commend our souls and bodies,
beseeching you to keep us this night
under your protection and strengthen us
for our service on the morrow,
for Christ's sake. Amen.
- Archbishop Laud (1573-1645)
to refresh our tired bodies.
May your help always renew us
and keep us strong in your service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Into your hands, O Lord,
we commend our souls and bodies,
beseeching you to keep us this night
under your protection and strengthen us
for our service on the morrow,
for Christ's sake. Amen.
- Archbishop Laud (1573-1645)
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Prayer for Peace
May there be peace in the higher realms;
may there be peace in the firmament;
may there be peace on earth.
May the waters flow peacefully;
may the herbs and plants grow peacefully;
may all the divine powers bring unto us peace.
The Supreme Lord is peace.
May we all be in peace, peace, and only peace;
and may that peace come unto each of us.
Today and always.
may there be peace in the firmament;
may there be peace on earth.
May the waters flow peacefully;
may the herbs and plants grow peacefully;
may all the divine powers bring unto us peace.
The Supreme Lord is peace.
May we all be in peace, peace, and only peace;
and may that peace come unto each of us.
Today and always.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Prayer for the New Year
Grant me the strength from day to day
To bear what burdens come my way.
Grant me throughout this bright New Year
More to endure and less to fear.
Help me live that I may be
From spite and petty malice free.
Let me not bitterly complain
When cherished hopes of mine prove vain,
Or spoil with deeds of hate and rage
Some fair tomorrow's spotless page.
Lord, as the days shall come and go
In courage let me stronger grow....
Lord, as the New Year dawns today
Help me to put my faults away.
Let me be big in little things;
Grant me the joy which friendship brings.
Keep me from selfishness and spite;
Let me be wise in what is right.
A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye.
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
- Edgar A. Guest
*(Appropriate for many faith)
To bear what burdens come my way.
Grant me throughout this bright New Year
More to endure and less to fear.
Help me live that I may be
From spite and petty malice free.
Let me not bitterly complain
When cherished hopes of mine prove vain,
Or spoil with deeds of hate and rage
Some fair tomorrow's spotless page.
Lord, as the days shall come and go
In courage let me stronger grow....
Lord, as the New Year dawns today
Help me to put my faults away.
Let me be big in little things;
Grant me the joy which friendship brings.
Keep me from selfishness and spite;
Let me be wise in what is right.
A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye.
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
- Edgar A. Guest
*(Appropriate for many faith)