Right Living and Right Speaking

Nouwen
Originally uploaded by TheScriptorium

I thought I'd let Henri Nouwen voice his wisdom today.

To be a witness for God is to be a living sign of God's presence in the world. What we live is more important than what we say, because the right way of living always leads to the right way of speaking. When we forgive our neighbors from our hearts, our hearts will speak grateful words, and when we are hopeful and joyful we will speak hopeful and joyful words.

When our words come too soon and we are not yet living what we are saying, we easily give double messages. Giving double messages--one with our words and another with our actions--makes us hypocrites. May our live give us the right words, and may our words lead us to the right lives.

from Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith

That said, I wish you all a hope filled, joyful day!

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Thanks be to God!!

Prayer of Humility

Icon - Extreme Humility
Originally uploaded by Exploring Orthodoxy

I found this prayer in the book, St. Benedict and St. Therese: The Little Rule and The Little Way, by Dwight Longenecker.

I share it because I have been called to "swallow my pride" a couple of times this week. I find when I begin to take my gifts seriously and think of myself as GRAND, rather that good, I am brought to my knees first in humility. Then, I am called to gratitude to my Lord for reminding me that my success is a gift given not something I MADE.

So I offer you this simple prayer:

"I asked for strength that I might achieve,
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness that I might feel my need for God."
~An Anonymous Confederate Soldier~

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Thanks be to God!!

I have an announcement to make...

Yesterday, much to my delight, my daughter, Laura, started her blog. She has started it by sharing her family's journey to MT this past week. Please stop by and say, "Hello." Her address is Exuberance. I'm sure she'd love your visit just as I do.

Oh! Had to go back to the GreeN...Didn't realize how accustomed to it I had become. Everyone please have a grand evening!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

A Bit of the Blarney: The Gift of Friendship

From A Bit of the Blarney

I just got off the phone with my dear friend, Martha. We chatted for over an hour. Yes, over an hour. Martha now lives in New Jersey and so these chats are cherished. The only thing missing was the cup of tea and the kitchen table.

Then last week I spoke with another of my dearest "sisters." She's having extensive nasal surgery tomorrow (please pray for her). And like always we laughed and talked and talked and laughed. Yes, and she now lives in Texas. So I revisited a post I wrote over a year ago The Gift of Friendship and thought I would share it again. You see, now many of you have become visitors to THIS front porch and you are all very special to me.

So, I say good week to you all and drop in any time!! You are all most welcome!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

The Seasons...

February, 2008

June, 2008

I remember the earlier picture as I took just before I left on retreat to St. Meinrad Archabbey. It was cold and icy. Miserable. Just the other day we worked to make the yard presentable for the summer. I thought to myself, we did a fine job.

I will give the seasonal rain to your land, the early rain and the late rain, that you may have your grain, wine and oil to gather in, and I will bring forth grass in your fields for your animals.Thus you will eat your fill.

Deuteronomy 11: 14-15

Then the rains did come and the tornadoes lashed out at the land and it's people. Not the gentle rain, but the harsh thunderous rain. We have friends who were evacuated from their homes because of high water. There are farmers here finally got their crops in only to find them under water. I was thinking about all those in the part of the country that have been suffering from too much water, just as those in California are suffering from the lack there of. All this concern about my flowers seems so frivolous. Grooming a garden seems so trivial, when others are suffering because they have no "garden."

In admiration, I look to the farmers and their families who yearly trust that their crops will be fruitful. When they are not they don't give up. These are hard working, faith filled people who have the courage to go on in the face of crop failure for whatever reason. These are good and honorable people. I pray that they will continue to be courageous and know that we are grateful for their sacrifice so that we might be "full."

And so I pray:

Good and gracious God, I pray for those who till the earth and raise animals to feed our bodies. Continue to watch over them as they labor in the fields. Send your Spirit to bolster their courage and determination. Provide them with the will to do your bidding. Grant that they will be provided for and be under your protection in times of trial and success. I ask all this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

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For everyone and all God's graces I say,

"Thanks be to God."

and

enjoy the weekend!