Praise God!

All the things I have to praise the glory of God for today. And it's only 5:45 a.m. Imagine what the day can bring!

~~1. The beauty of the shades of green this spring day brings.

~~2. For Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal as they were out gathering to build their nest.

~~3. For Kellie as she begins her new adventure in the genre of the high school musical to be performed this summer, Oklahoma.

~~4. For the power of prayer in my life.

~~5. For friends who gather weekly to share the wonder of God's word in Bible study.

~~5. For the support of a wonderful husband and helpmate.

~~6. In PRAISE of this Glorious Day!

If you have reason to praise God, join us at Jennifer's house, My Chocolate Heart to add to the joy, wonder and glory of God.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks Be To GOD!!

Praying with St. Paul...

One of my favorite Scripture verses is the topic of the reflection in Praying With Saint Paul edited by Father Peter John Cameron, O.P. There is comfort in this and reassurance in the workings of the Living God.

Baby Talk

by Father William M. Joensen

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service, but the same Lord; there are
different workings but the same God who produces all of them
in everyone.
[1Cor 12: 4-6]

Good babysitters and daycare personnel come at a premium these days. There is something gifted about the person who can overcome the sadness and fear experienced when mom or dad drops a child off and steps away. Part of the task is to redirect the child's attention to something colorful, curious,entertaining in that moment--some partial good that can distract the child from his or her own sadness, the awareness of the absent good. There is something charismatic about the manner of a worthy babysitter, the creativity of a devoted daycare provider. Who they are is not a diversion, a surrogate, but a participation in--a reference to--the love and presence of the parent. Trust and peace are engendered not simply in the learned awareness that mom or dad will return at the end of the day; rather, because the caretaker allows the longing for reunion to be a source of expectation, hope, and joy.

The Spirit is no surrogate, but the alter ego for Christ's activity of mutual service, secure belonging, and enduring presence. The Spirit does not level difference into an uninflected monotone, but parses and punctuates gifts for the good of everyone who is to produce and partake in the varied activity of Spirit.

The one who seek to fill himself first ends up only being full of oneself. In contrast, our primary work is to be an ongoing refraction of the Spirit's sufficiency. We communicate the tenderness of God who is always present as parent, lover, friend. We realize that no one is meant to be more that a heartbeat away from the cadence of God's compassion, the embrace of mercy. Child of God care is the consecrated service produced in everyone generated by god--the God whose sameness is not something profane, but the point of departure for diverse gifts to be expressed.

Spirit of the living God, your presence wells up in me as I will to witness on your behalf. Endow me with strength; counsel me with creativity and insight; grace my gestures and speech with your gentleness and love. do not abandon me, but draw me ceaselessly into the company of the Father and the son, the same God now and always.

~~~~~

And the reassurance of a Loving Father that God is the same now and always. For what more could we ask?

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Glory Be To God, It's Saturday!

Alleluia, Alleluia

This is the Day the Lord has made
Let us be glad and rejoice in it.
[Psalm 118:24]

Alleluia, alleluia.

(From this day's Liturgy of the Word)

~~~^j^~~~

Indeed, thanks be to God!!!

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers-Ch 1 Main Title

One of my favorite movies was on TCM. Love the music. It's hard to say which of all the many musicals ever written are my truly favorites but this one is so much fun to watch! A couple others that have the same theme that come to mind are Oklahoma, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and Paint Your Wagon! What are your favorites?

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

The Empty Tomb

I was gifted with is from a dear friend, Juliene! I share it with you now because it is not just a wonderful story, but gives us, me in particular, better insights into Jewish tradition. Please read and enjoy. And to Juliene, I say, "Thank you very much!"

Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
I never noticed this.

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed
over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly
folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to
the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom
Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb,
and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely!

Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin,
you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.

The folded napkin had to do with the Master and servant
and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the Master,
he made sure that it was exactly the way the Master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly and then the servant would wait,
just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the Master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.

The servant would then know to clear the table.
For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table.

Because..........

The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'

He is Coming Back!! Be Blessed!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!