And so it is with a brain mushy from the humidity and eyes watering and itching from allergies that I send you this bit of humor! I wondered how the "little buggers" survived in the off season. (Who would have thought, mosquitoes in February? Ingenious!)
So much so they wouldn't stop to have a picture taken.
Marianne and fiancé, Eric.
Kellie...
Laura, Neil and Roy. (Grandpa is in the background) for a magnificent evening of fireworks.
Pray for One AnotherWe often wonder what we can do for others, especially for those in great need. It is not a sign of powerlessness when we say: "we must pray for one another." To pray for one another is, first of all, to acknowledge, in the presence of God, that we belong to each other as children of the same God. Without this acknowledgment of human solidarity, what we do for one another does ot flow from who we truly are. We are brothers and sisters, not competitors or rivals. We are children of one God, not partisans of different gods.
To pray, that is, to listen to the voice of the One who calls us the "Beloved," is to learn that that voice excludes no one. Where I dwell, God dwells with me and where God dwells with me I find all my sisters and brothers. And so intimacy with God and solidarity with all people are two aspects of swelling in the present moment that can never be separated.
~~Here and Now
The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life
by Henri J. M. Nouwen
compiled and edited by Wendy Wilson Greer
The Five Little Kellers And How They Grew
Daisies in the garden. They are especially pretty this year!
Photo by LuizBrief History of Saint Paul (early years):
"Parish Life"
Saint John the Baptist Church
Newburgh, INThe first reference to Saul (as he was then known) is during the persecution of the first Christian communities, specifically, his involvement in the execution of Saint Stephen. In Acts 7:54-8: 1, we read that Saul was at the execution and approved it.
One day on the way to Damascus to fine more Christians to bring back to Jerusalem for punishment, a blinding light came from the heavens so bright as to strike Saul to the ground. The voice of God then spoke to him: "Saul, why do you persecute me?" Bewildered, Saul asked "Who are you, Lord?" The voice answered, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."
The Lord said that he was to be "an instrument" to spread the Good News among the Gentiles and throughout Israel. Historically, some scholars have placed this event at approximately 33 AD, occurring just after the execution of Saint Stephen.
It is important to note that Paul's heavenly vision is considered to be the single most significant event in the early history of Christianity, apart from the birth and life of Jesus Christ himself.
A Generous God
by
Monsignor James Turro"For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not from you; it is the gift of God."
(Ephesians 2:8)"This is not from you, it is the gift of God." Perhaps there is not a more deep-seated, urgent desire in man than the desire to be self-sufficient--not really to need anybody or anything--God included. This of course is a fond hope. Consider that though we as a race have mastered space and in large part defeated physical illness, however we have not been able to vanquish death nor have we succeeded in achieving untrammeled and unending happiness. Clearly we need God and the happiness and security he alone can confer. Humbly we must acknowledge that we are not equal to the task of acquiring much of what we require to lead a fulfilled and successful life. We have a desperate need of God and his gifts for us to lead a fulfilled life.
We must look beyond the happiness that God confers upon us to countless other gifts and favors with which he brightens our lives. One thinks of faith--in every way, a gift of God. It is the faith of God and the things of God. It gives us to understand that just about everything short of God is limited and flimsy; only God can truly, deeply satisfy.
As one reflects on God's generosity toward oneself, a not inappropriate resolve is to emulate God's lavish generosity in our dealings with other people--an imitation of Christ.
Faith, this great gift of God, must be prized and jealously guarded. We must never jeopardize this faith in any way--not by the thoughts we think or the life we lead. It should be a hardy faith--not a faith that one possesses but a faith that possesses one. A mere profession of faith honors God because, when all is said and done, it is taking God at his word.O God, you have heaped high the graces which you have been
pleased to offer me; give me one thing more--a grateful heart.
The Purpose Driven Life"In (Christ) we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ."
Monsignor James Turro
(Ephesians 2:11-12)"In Christ we were also chosen...so that we might exist for the praise of his glory." How many times are people left wondering at the meaning of it all. What is the point of our existence? How bleak and gross even is the answer the world gives back to that question. It maintains that we have no particular role to play at all in the world. We are simply pointless--we just are, period. If that be so , is there any wonder that some people under severe pressure from grave illness or from the sheer routine of day-to-day living decide to end it all? The purposeless life is not worth living.
But as God first chose the Hebrews to spread the good news about him and to praise him, so God expects no less of us--that we do just that--"that we might exist for the praise of his glory." What an exalted goal to have in life: the glorification of God in all we say and do and are. A backward look at our live--and examination of conscience--may sadly reveal that we have been quite negligent in this regard, that is, in making Christ better known within our family , our circle of friends, our co-workers. One's life cannot have more exalted thrust than that--to first understand and then to proclaim to all and sundry that God made us to know, to love, and to serve him is this life and to be happy with him for ever in the next."God give me the sharpness of mind and the force and clarity of speech to witness to you in every venue in which I may find myself.
Keller Garden, 2008Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As may as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times."~Matthew 18: 21-22~
~~~
I've been hurt, and I've been wronged. Is refusing to forgive really going to help?
What have I got to lose?
~~~
Jesus, you forgave. Live in me so that I might forgive as well.A Catholic Woman's Book of Days by Amy Welbor
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
 |
| From A Bit of the Blarney |
February, 2008
June, 2008I 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
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For everyone and all God's graces I say,
"Thanks be to God."
and
enjoy the weekend!
Picture by marymactavishThe Navajo RugIn a Navajo rug there is always an imperfection woven into the corner. And interestingly enough, it's where "the Spirit moves in and out of the rug." The pattern is perfect and then there's one part of it that clearly looks like a mistake. The Semite mind, the Eastern mind (which, by the way, Jesus would have been much closer to) understands perfection in precisely that way.
Perfection is not the elimination of imperfection. that's our Western either/or, need-to-control thinking. Perfection, rather, is the ability to incorporate imperfection! There's no other way to live: You either incorporate imperfection, or you fall into denial. That's how the Spirit moves in or out of our lives.From Breathing Under Water:Spirituality and the 12 Steps
This is a reminder of the road trip
Mount RushmoreCould not resist putting this on the blog...My friend, Margaret, sent this to me and now I offer it to you. Everyone have a GRAND Weekend!
'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'
GOOD DAY TO ALL MY 'NUTTY' FRIENDS
Have a fabulous STRESS FREE day!!!!
Thanks Be to God!!
Picture by ONE/MILLIONAdd some more if you want to!
I tag:
Have at it all anyone else...takes so little time and even less thought. Doesn't use up too many gray cells. Have a grand day!!!
~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!
Aside: I mailed my application for Provident Associates, please pray. Thank you!
I was wondering what I was going to say after I had posted The Last Lecture. It almost felt like the end of blogging for me as I had nothing else to say. Then a friend sent us the most wonderful email and I just have to share it. See? There's still a lot in me...What was I thinking?!Quick story as how this post came to be. I had breakfast with my friend, Tricia, yesterday, and she was sharing her experience this semester following a hospice nurse and how this video was part of her death and dying class. Ron wanted to order a book so we stopped at Borders on the way to Neil's birthday party. When I walked through the door, Randy's book was IN MY FACE. You all know how I feel about miracles. This was no accident, and before we got to the other side of Evansville I was completely engrossed in his book.
This is an incredible story by an incredible man. The book is much like this video. But both (yes, I read the book before I watched this)gave me, again, model of great humility in the way of dying. My friend, Margaret, did much the same. She continued to "live" in the light of her dying.
May God give me the strength to carry myself in life as they LIVED their life in dying. Please read the book too. Thank you, Tricia!!! This is remarkable!!! You may not want to or have the time to listen to the entire lecture, but please give it a try! It's worth every minute!!
Photo by RobinJesus Is a PeacemakerJesus, the Blessed Child of the Father, is a peacemaker. His peace doesn't mean only absence of war. It is not simply harmony or equilibrium. His peace is the fullness of well-being, gratuitously given by God. Jesus says, "Peace I leave to you, my peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you" (John 14:27)
Peace is Shalom--well-being of mind, heart, and body, individually and communally. It can exist in the midst of a war-torn world, even in the midst of unresolved problems and increasing human conflicts. Jesus made that peace by giving his life for his brothers and sisters. This is no easy peace, but it is everlasting and it comes from God. Are we willing to give our lives in the service of peace?
Please, Father, allow this wayward child to find my way through your word to the Word, without taking so many side trips that I lose my way. Keep me focused and attentive to your wishes, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
