Thought for the Day...

I have read this before, but today I feel the need to share this offering sent me by a friend. Please read it and reflect on it, for it truly is a wonderful analogy!!!

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"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
Malachi 3:3

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where
the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you

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Thanks be to God!

Letter from Shannon

By e-mail I got an update from China Little Flower and the work Shannon Walsh is doing for those unfortunate children she works with. And so this I share with you...

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I could not get the letter to link so this is the best I could do...just click for larger view. And here is the link to Shannon's web page, China Little Flower

The work she does with these children and the love she gives them. Oh, my! And all this with the love and sincere trust of Our Lord! My best to you all and have a Grand Day!!!

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Thank be to God!!!

The Way of the Cross

While I was on retreat last weekend, we were able to attend an organ recital in the Abbey Church. Marilyn Mason was the artist who gave the recital and was the first to perform on the organ after it had been newly install in 1963. She had numerous 1st's, but the one that stands out most vividly for me was the fact that she had been Professor of Organ at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor since 1947. She is the longest tenured professor in the university's 190 year history. This gifted, demure lady was still educating others in the art of music!

Fr. Gavin was the narrator for the recital and we all sat in anticipation of the music as well as the narration and pictures that would accompany it. Though Fr. Gavin's voice fairly "sang" as he spoke the words of the stations, the pictures were heartrending. The music itself was the most dissonant and discordant I had ever experienced. Yes, experienced. For in the hour and one-half that I listened to the music, I found I was in pain. There was nothing beautiful about this music. It hurt the ears and the organ fairly cried in pain itself. With each station, though I hoped the next offering would be less harsh, but I knew better. And at the end, I was exhausted!

The stations are never easy, but on reflection, and I did reflect for some time on this, I found it was not about the music. No, this was the screaming of pain our Lord must have experienced each time he was mocked, scourged, spit upon, crowned, and marched under the weight of the cross to his death. And for what? Yes, indeed for what? It was all for the salvation of my soul. All so that one day I might see Him face to face. He did this out of love for me, in Love of me.

Finally, I realized again that this is why the Resurrection is such a joyful reality. We must endure the pain of this life in order to experience the joy of our Resurrection. Hallelujah!!
Amen!

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For the Love of Jesus I say,
"Thanks be to God."
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Addendum: For those who are interested I found a information about the composer of the Stations of the Cross. It is very good. The essay is at Music at the Chapel of the Cross.

This is REALLY good!!!

A Crust Creations Meal by Pillsbury.

Taco Fiesta Pie

Prep 20 minutes
Ready in 30 minutes

1 (15 0z) pkg Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust

Filling
1 lb. ground beef (ground turkey or ground chicken works, too)
1 (15 oz) can spicy chili beans undrained
1/2 cup salsa
1 small can chopped green chilies (I added)
6 oz (1 1/2 cups) shredded Cheddar cheese ( or cheese of your choice, I like shredded Colby)
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/2 cup chopped tomato

Optional: green onion slices, sour cream,
ripe olives, chopped jalapeños.

1. Unfold pie crust; place in 9-inch pie pan. Prick bottom and sides wit fork;flute edge. Cut 13 (1-inch) triangle pieces from remaining crust; place around crust edge. Bake at 425 degrees for 9-11 minutes or until light golden-brown.

2. In large skillet, brown ground beef; drain. Add chili beans, salsa and 1 cup cheese; mix will. Cook over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

3. Spoon meat mixture into baked shell. Top with remaining ingredients

16 servings

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It was really easy to make!
Thanks be to God!

What?

Last night on the NBC Nightly News I stopped to "listen" to the results of one of their polls. It had to do with organized religion. It seems that many are not staying to practice the religion of their families when they were growing up. the poll says they are looking for religion "that fits their needs" [paraphrased]. Imagine!

They don't understand, they don't choose, they've already been chosen (Isaiah 43:1-8) ! They want a religion of "convenience," a religion where nothing of their self need be expended. What has happened to being of service to others. I wonder if they are indeed Christian churches if the only reason one attends is to take and not give, hear the Word, but find no need to apply it to their lives. I don't mean only financial giving. Where is the "time and talent" meant in the service of Our Lord? When He washed the feet of the disciples He said "Do as I do," not, "Do as I do when you feel like it." When will children learn this if they do not see their parents in the act of self- giving. The home is where we find the means to salvation. Jesus is in our midst. The Church is the community of support, that foundation that gives us strength and worship, but the family is the center of education and example.

Humanity is still in dire need of Salvation. We are "Looking for love in all the wrong places..." The love of God is not easy "love", not necessarily a feel-good love. Christ loved till it hurt and He died for love of us so we might enjoy His everlasting love. That is only to be experienced by our death to this life, and yet we just don't get it, do we? It can't be found in a church that fits my needs, only God knows my needs. How does a church become a "Fits Your Needs Church"?

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For the example of my family!!

Thanks be to God.