OK..So I lied..sort of

It looks like I told a big one.  I said I was going to post about inner divinity and the light of the spirit.  Well, I got busy and didn't do my "homework."  I needed to go out and get a few things done, a few groceries, get gas, go to the dry cleaners and try to get a parking place at the library.  The library had nary a place to park my van, and I am not the best backer-upper in little spaces.  By the way, gas went up 15 cents over-night.

I also have a busy day mapped out in my head...for tomorrow.   Sometimes my head doesn't know which way the rest of me is going.  I think this may become a temporary condition for the rest of Advent(Christmas)season.

I also did cloths and emptied out a junk drawer, cleaned it and tossed out some junk...the things we save!  Another drawer  to be done tomorrow.

The sound went out on my new TV and I have been trying to lip read.  That didn't work so well!  I could make out a word here and there, but not enough to know what is going on.  Apparently the Cable Co. upgraded their software which downgraded my TV "smart ware"  I guess it has happened to others and I have to call Toshiba to get a "walk through.

Anyway, now you know which way and where my day went...it went "that away."

END 

FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT

LIGHT ONE CANDLE

USE EXTREME CARE AND CAUTION

WITH LIGHTED CANDLES

This is an "off" day for me.  I kept falling asleep on the couch even though I had plenty of rest and slept late.  Maybe it is the weather...blame it on something, right?   We have had lots of rain and the Ohio is backing up into the "bottoms" or low lands along the river...and we had our first "snow" this morning.  It didn't stick because the ground is so saturated.

The deer are coming up out of the bottoms at night now, because they are being flooded out and are seeking higher ground .  There have been several deer related accidents and one death of a young driver last week.  That's why I don't care to drive at night when the deer are on the move.

I went to the eye Dr. this afternoon.  I go every 3 months.  I have glaucoma, the early stages of cataracts and the early stages of mac. degeneration.  Maybe that's why I got so sleepy after I got home.  By the way, my test were better than the last time and the Dr. was pleased...so was I.
.
I really have nothing to write about this eve.  I was going to make some home-made bread, but was too lazy to get started.
I hope to give it a go tomorrow... and maybe some more cookies.

Also, I hope to do some research on inner divinity..no, not the candy kind, but the inner divinity that we are all born with, as well as the inner light of the spirit.

So I am winding down early tonight and going to bed early, too...or earlier than usual.  "Into your hands, O Lord, I commit my spirit."

END

The Angelus

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord

declared unto Mary.

And she conceived of the Holy Spirit

Hail Mary...etc.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done unto me

according to Your word.

Hail Mary...etc.

And the Word was made flesh.

And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary...etc.

V.  Pray, for us O Holy Mother of God

R.  That we may be made worthy

of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.  Pour forth,

we beseech You, O Lord,

Your grace into our hearts

that we to whom

the incarnation of Christ,

Your Son, was made known

by the message of an angel,

may, by His passion and cross,

be brought to the glory

of the resurrection,

through the same Christ

our Lord.  Amen

for each Hail Mary that has an....etc...after it, say

Hail Mary, full of grace

the Lord is with you

Blessed is the fruit of your womb,

 Jesus

Holy Mary, Mother of God

Pray for us sinners,

 now and at the hour

of our death...Amen

There is no precise historical documentation as to exactly when the Angelus was introduced into the Church, but it has been traced back as far as the 11th century and was prayed in monasteries, convents and by the ordinary people of the Church.  It is still prayed throughout the Christian world, by Catholics, some Lutherans, Protestants, and in general, lay people.  The church recommends that the Angelus be prayed three times a day, around 6 A.M-12 noon and around 6 P.M on a daily bases.  Pope John Paul wrote that the Angelus leads us to God and God leads us to the Angelus.

This past week the new translation of the mass was introduced on the first day-Sunday-of Advent.  We stumbled over a few words, but it was harder for the priest who offered up the mass.  After all, he is in his 80's, but he did pretty well.

Today I had to go get my licence renewed and take a box to the UPS store to ship back to Dish Network.  It was really windy and cold.  I just don't enjoy this kind of weather.

+++

WHAT A STRANGE

AND WONDROUS STORY

FROM THE BOOK OF GOD

IS READ

HOW THE LORD

OF LIFE AND GLORY

HAD NO WHERE

TO LAY HIS HEAD

HOW HE LEFT HIS

HEAVENLY FATHER

AND IN A MANGER LIE 

THAN GROW AND TEACH

TO HEAL AND PREACH

AND ON A CROSS DID DIE

BORN TO HOLY MARY

SO VERY LONG AGO

IN A LOWLY, HUMBLE STABLE

WHERE THE

WISE MEN FOUND HIM SO

THE ANGELS SANG

HIS COMING

A STRANGE AND

WONDROUS MAN

AS TOLD BY THE

GREAT PROPHETS

TO FULFILL THE

FATHER'S PLAN

Well, you can't accuse me of being a great..or even a good poet...can you.  This a statement...not a question.

Some may wonder why I continue this blog in this vein.  I continue for the Russian readers and for the readers in other countries.  And that is that.  The choice is yours..to read or not.

END

Shopping for Advent

Yes, Advent-Christmas is just around that next corner and it is coming up fast.  Yikes!  The older I get the faster time flies.  The calender moves on without me!

I have been out picking up a few items to take to the residents at the nursing home.  Everything is being downsized except for the price.  You get less for the money.

I hate wrapping presents.  I am all thumbs and I seem to get things that are oddly shaped and hard to wrap.  The good thing is that the residents hardly notice and the wrappings become torn and shredded anyway. Kids come in all ages.  The elderly enjoy getting Christmas presents, too.

I have the crock pot working overtime.  I have potatoes, a roast, cauliflower and onions making the house smell ever so good.  It will be for dinner after I get over roaming tomorrow. I may even make a batch of Peanut Butter cookies before I go to bed...to take over to the Sisters.  I am a firm believer in bribery via route of the tummy...tummy power.

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD

DECLARED UNTO MARY..

The home used to set out an Advent Log or wreath,  with four candles to mark the passing of each week as Advent progressed.  That isn't done now due to fire hazards, but I really did enjoy it while I was working.  Dare I tell them that there are now flame less candles now, battery operated?  Yes, I dare.

Something I learned new this day:  The church recommends that the Angelus be recited/prayed three times a day.  I will post the Angelus on Monday and if anyone is interested they can copy or pray from there.  Most catholics know the Angelus, but there may be some that don't or have never had the opportunity to read or learn it.  We learn all the time, don't we?

So..I am off to make some cookies...it's the season, you know.

END 

p.s.  I think I will make my own Advent Wreath

I have candles!

THE ROSARY

I love the rosary.

I love praying the rosary.

It is not required.

It is not an obligation.

It is not a sacrament.

I am compelled
to pray the rosary.

It is a gift of prayer.

It is a meditation.

It gives me peace.

Therefore, to me it is

an inner sacrament.

No man, priest, Bishop

or even the Pope..

can bestow this inner

sacrament upon me.

It is an internal gift

of grace that was given

to me, a seed planted,

nourished and ever growing.

***

Contrary to some thinking

we do not  worship Mary.

We giver her honor

as her son Jesus Christ did,

As God did when He chose

Mary to bear His only

begotten son, as we,

God's people should...
 and can honor her, too.

The Hail Mary is an intercessory prayer.  We ask the Mother of God to pray for us..to intercede for us, just as we would ask our mothers, fathers, sisters, friends or brothers, to pray for us..here on this earthly plane.  The Hail Mary is enhanced by the Our Fathers that are prayed with and on the rosary.  The Hail Mary can not supplant Our Lords Prayer, but makes the our Father rise to the heavens so succinctly, thus I call it an inner sacrament that God has sown in our hearts for us to foster.

The Church may not care for my analogy or concept of an inner sacrament.  I am sure that if I am in some kind of error..I will soon find out.  And if I am...I well accept it and correct my poor understanding.  As I have said before, I am not a theologian..not by a long shot: I am a simple minded person..so forgive me if I let a small inner voice misguide me in any way.

If you don't have a rosary, but you do have a computer or access to one, you can find and pray the rosary on line.  Just type "rosary" into your search engine and the rosary will find you.  Yes, you can actually use those ten fingers.  Many have and still do.

Yesterday was a semi-long day.  When I got home I had to take a nap.  That was a mistake because when I went to bed...umm...I couldn't sleep!  So, I just slept late this morning.  I can do that, you know!

I kept to my diet yesterday.  I had a thin sliver of Pumpkin Pie and no sugary drinks.  As I expected, there were wall to wall people and very crowded.  Anytime I moved, someone grabbed my chair!  It was a good day and a banquet well shared.  No, I didn't bring leftovers home with me as some did.  I just don't need the temptation of all those calories.

Today I have just been doing the few dishes that were left from yesterday and doing some general picking up around the house.  I hope one and all had a good day yesterday, today and into all the tomorrows.

FEEL LIKE THIS?

END

Done, done and done in.

OK.  Everything is about done and so am I.  The Little Smokies turned out well-not too sweet.  There are 36 deviled eggs ready to go.  For the first time the eggs peeled nicely.  Usually the boiled eggs look like they were mangled or run over.  They taste good and I have some boiled eggs left over.  The Oyster Dressing is made and ready and to be consumed by a couple of guys that think that oysters make them more virile and manly-do they?   I made some muffin bread: an experiment-with peanut butter.  It is pretty good, but not enough to take to the dinner.  It was just a small batch.

So...I have been cooking and cleaning as I go.  All the dishes and utensils are washed.  Oops...a few egg shells hit the floor.  I never took time to take the pictures of what I prepared.  By this time tomorrow night all the abundance of the day will be just a memory and with indigestion.  What I take to the table will be only a small portion and will be consumed with a passion.  Except for me.  I will watch my diet and my passion unless I spot some Pumpkin Pie....or any kind of pie!

*********************

"OMNIA AD MQJOREM DEI GLORIAM"

"ALL FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD!"

" In sacred banquet, in which Christ is received,

the memory of His passion is renewed,

the mind is filled with grace,

and a pledge of future glory

is given to us."

+++

St. Tomas-Office of the Blessed Sacrament.

 

 You may not think the above iconic painting has anything to do with the theme of Thanksgiving, but it does.  Jesus shares His last meal with His friends-followers-disciples, and says as He breaks the bread, "Do this in memory of me."  And that is what it is all about, isn't it...Giving Thanks and breaking bread together: with friends, families, neighbors?

Don't forget;

I probably

won't post

tomorrow.

END

Got food...Got Charity?

I was thinking that I would have some pictures of Thanksgiving preparations/food, but don't have any yet.  Maybe tomorrow.  I have all the eggs boiled and ready to peel.  The barbecued Little Smokies will go into the Crock Pot tomorrow and simmer overnight.  The Oyster Dressing will get made tomorrow, too, and then go into the fridge until Thursday morning.  I also save all the empty egg cartons and use them to put the deviled eggs into when they are made.  This is a good way to transport them and then throw away the egg cartons.  I may make some other things as well.

I am always reminded that I was on my way back from my mother's funeral on Thanksgiving Day years ago.  Nothing was open on the PA. Turnpike, but I finally found a McDonald's  where I got a yucky burger.

On Thursday I will not post.  I don't know what time I will get home or how tired I will be.  I just know it will be a full day.

I know that I have been and am slacking off a little bit with this blog, but it is a season of business.  I have an agenda for next week, too, and don't know if I can get everything done that I am planning.  I imagine most people will be in same seasonal boat. 

"SET ALL THINGS IN THEIR OWN PARTICULAR PLACE, AND KNOW THAT ORDER IS THE GREATEST GRACE.  by Dryden.   I'll bet he had his own cook and dish washer

.

In all of our rush, fuss and preparations...we forget what it is all about.  Little children can tell you.

"THE END OF THE COMMANDMENT IS CHARITY WITH PURE HEART, AND GOOD CONSCIENCE, AND A UNFEIGNED FAITH."  1 Tim. 1:5

Got all that?  Well, I am working on it.  Real-true charity is not so hard when times are good, but when the times get tuff, the charity gets tightened, stretched and bent a little.  For all of us know that "Charity begins at home" and we tend to live by it, rather live of  and for it.  If you have two loaves of bread can you give one away?  Christ divided the bread and fishes and fed 5,000.

I know that where I will be on Thanksgiving Day there will be wall to wall food in abundance.  I also know that it will be shared out to those in need that come to the table.

WHO WILL JOIN YOU AT THE TABLE?

END

CHARITY

I guess I don't have any little spiritual inspirations to offer.  My Mondays are often like that.  However, the week is just starting.

I am getting some things ready for Thanksgiving Day.  I boiled two dozen eggs this afternoon and will probably boil some more.  Only one egg cracked so I ate it! I make pretty good Deviled Eggs. 

I went to the store and found the oysters and mushrooms for the dressing. I found more stuffing mix for $.88 cents so I picked up a couple more even though I don't need them right now.  I will also make barbecue smoky links.  I haven't decided on anything else yet.

I also picked up my eye drops  It came to-gasp-$229.85 plus tax.  No, Medicare doesn't pay for much these days and that amount came out of my pocket.  That is a lot of money out of a small check.  I got it because I have to have it.

....IF I SHOULD HAVE ALL FAITH

SO THAT I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS

AND NOT HAVE CHARITY,

I AM NOTHING.

1 Cor. 13:2

NOW THERE REMAIN

FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY-

THESE THREE

BUT THE GREATEST

OF THESE IS CHARITY.

1 Cor. 13:3

These two text came from an older version of the Bible, but the are very much the same in the newer Bibles.

Read Matt. 7:3-23 & 38--John 13. 14. 34: & 15. 12.

The reason I refere to these passages is this is the "recognized" season for giving and charity, though we should keep it in mind all the time, especially in these unprdictable times.   An old saying has bounced back upon the lips of news reports..."The rich get richer and the poorer get poorer."  Maybe I will put out a better blog tomorrow.

END

COME AND EAT OF MY BREAD

"COME TO THE TABLE I PREPARED FOR YOU"

I am a little tired this eve.  I didn't sleep well last night.  I went to bed after 12 A.M and woke up around 3:30 or 4 A. M.  I just couldn't get back to sleep. Finally around 6 A. M. I did drift off, but then that radio alarm woke me up good and proper.  I gave up and got up.

I had to go to E'town and get the TB test read.  It was negative-OK.  I have never  had a positive TB test even though I have been around people with active TB.  I have been lucky.

At least, in having to go across the mighty Ohio more than once this week, and again tomorrow; the price of gas has dropped down to $2.98 per gal.  Even so, it hurts the pocketbook, so I only got about $15.00 dollars worth of gas.  I will use most of that up tomorrow.  I am not complaining (too much) because I can still keep gas in the tank and food on the table.  A lot of people can't.

Tomorrow, being Sunday, you know where I will be  going.  The weeks and days roll by so fast!

O SACRED BANQUET

WHEREIN CHRIST IS RECEIVED,

THE MEMORY OF HIS PASSION

IS RENEWED,

THE MIND IS FILLED

WITH GRACE,

AND THE PLEDGE OF FUTURE

GLORY IS GIVEN UNTO US

+++

O Sacrum Convivium

in quo Christus

sumitur; recolitur memoria

passionis ejus; mens

impletur gratia et

futurae gloriae, nobis

pignus datur.

+++

a little Latin for you

***

And while they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke, and gave it to His disciples, and said,"Take and eat; this is my body."  And taking a cup, He gave thanks and gave it to them, saying "All of you drink of this; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is being shed for many unto the forgiveness of sins."

Matthew 26: 26-27

This is a very important part-it may be the most important part of the gosples.  It is what we center our faith and subsequent "remembrance" around.

As some readers may not have a Bible or access to any Christian teachings; there are very slight variations in the passage/translations of the last supper.  Four great Saints are relating what they witnessed and were part of; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

I would like to be a Biblical scholar, but of course, I am not.  I would like to impart more spiritual knowledge to any one   looking for a more perfect path.  I am just a simple person with a simple mind.  I even wish at times that I could give up this blog, but know I can not...not while there are even a few hungry people in repressed countries; people without Bibels, searching for the Word of God.  It is often "hard work" for me to post this blog, but I feel that I must continue for those repressed people that do read this post.  I do know where you are and what countries you live in, in a general way.  So, I "hang in there."

I would also like to sleep late in the morning, but I can't do that either. I just gotta do what I gotta do!

END

The Road to perfection

HOPE

This morning my older sister  called and we were talking about the health and welfare of my sister-in law, and various other things.  The subject of "perfection" came up and I decided that it would be a good topic to write about(thank you Beverly). It isn't as if I were an expert on the the quest for perfection-God knows that I am far, far from the grace of perfection, but It is worth contemplating, pursuing and commanded.

The road to perfection can be likened to the Road to Perdition: rocky, rough and full of little pitfalls.  It isn't an easy road to travel unless you have received special graces, and that means it is a road less traveled.

There isn't much on the Internet about perfection so I will have to give it my best shot.  Remember...I am not a theologian.

"We look at perfection as a process to and of sanctification.  This can be instantaneous or a progressive work of grace.  the purity of intention, the dedication of all life to and of God...and the mind of which is in Christ, enables us to walk as Christ walked.  Everything is more perfect, the more it resembles God."  This is a very close paraphrase/quote from Paschasious Radbertus.  

I have searched The Vat. 11 documents for something more specific relating to perfection.  I didn't find a simple explanation of what perfection is.  My analysis is that we are to follow the teachings of Christ and the 10 commandments as closely and sincerely as we can.  We are to Love One Another as Christ loved us.  Not so easy, but it will lead us to a closer perfection.  No one is perfect,: (no one I know!) expect to make mistakes, take the wrong actions or say the wrong words.  It is what we are: People of God striving to do better.

BUT WHEN  THE SPIRIT

 OF TRUTH  HAS COME,

HE WILL TEACH YOU

ALL THE TRUTH.

John 16: 13

AS THE FATHER HAS LOVED ME,

I HAVE ALSO LOVED YOU.

ABIDE IN MY LOVE.

John 15:9

THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU,

THAT MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU

AND THAT YOU JOY MAY BE MADE FULL

John 15: 11

Over and over the New Testament speaks of love.  Love is the key to perfection.  Got lots of love in your pockets?  Or are your pockets full of holes?

We try to explain mystical concepts with small words and our understanding is limited because we are generally a tactile creation.  We "know" through our touch, smell, eyes and hearing, and that makes us a poor receptacle for the the greater senses of the soul. Every once in a while there is a "break through" in our understanding of the Holy Word, that can be attributed to some of the great saints...oops, that leaves me out!  Most of what I write is simple and uncomplicated..hopefully, so that anyone can follow the thoughts that occur to me.  Well, sometimes I don't understand myself...LOL, and wonder where an occasional glimmer of inspiration comes from.  Oh, I am supposed to know that!

Harry's wife Sherry was sent home.  I think she is probably just as well off at home as she would be in the hospital...and happier.

END

HEAVEN

Heaven:  I can't tell you a lot about heaven because I have never been there.  I hear it is a pretty nice place to spend eternity as opposed to that "other place" where I really don't want to go.  Hopefully you don't want to make the trip, either.  Don't pack your bags or make reservations.  I also hear that it is pretty hot "down there" and uncomfortable, with not a drop to drink.

"You have not seen, nor heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man what things God has prepared for them that love Him."
I Cor. 2: 9

Christ said, "And you therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice and your joy no one shall take from you,"
John 16:22

"I am your reward exceedingly great."
Gen. 15: 1

"I shall be satisfied when your glory shall appear."
Ps. 15: 15

Heaven is the Kingdom of God.  We are the heirs.  Do not waste your treasure.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren,be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding, in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
1 Cor. 15: 58

I was told a long time ago that Hell was the absence of God and heaven is the reward of a good and fruitful life.  St. Theresa said she would spend her heaven doing good on earth.  The apostles caught only a small glimpse of heaven when Christ took them to the mount to pray, a profound moment for them.

I can't write a lot about heaven because in a sense it is an abstract concept to me, kind of like the picture above,  Yet, I do believe because all through the Bible heaven is proclaimed as the reward to the just, the faithful and to those that follow the teachings of and for the love of God .  Greater minds than mine have delved into the knowledge of The Kingdom of Heaven.  If Christ said so, then I believe.

I moved my laptop from another room into the room in which I am now using.  I am using my very old, big clunky Dell desk computer.  It is slow, but I have better control with the keyboard and generally it behaves better.  The laptop just goes everywhere...even if I just breath on it; it is that that sensitive to touch.  Sometimes technology is more bother than better.  Or so I think.

END

THE PRESENCE OF GOD

"Let us keep ourselves in the presence of God.  In all our ways let us ever have before us the example of our Lord and how He thought, spoke and acted; in every circumstances of life let us copy His example."

The above quotes are from my little book of prayers.

Today as a friend and I walked past the chapel were the  Sisters were gathering for prayers, I felt their presence in His presence.  We immediately "hushed up" and went where we had to go at the time.  We could feel the Spirit animating from the darkened chapel.  Have you ever had "one of those moments?"  If you do, I assure you...it will stick to you tighter than Gorilla Glue.  "Were two or more are gathered in my name, I am there."

I never know what I will write about until I sit down to write and hope for some little glimmer of inspiration.  Usually something comes up to the front, from the back burner and then I am cooking with gas; sometimes not.. and I feel like someone turned of all "my" utilities.  Such is the human mind and spirit.  "We are weak, but He is strong."

No matter how blank the chalkboard or cold the stove, we should continue to try to pray,even if we can only utter "Father, I am here" or some other simple words, for it is what is in the heart that counts.  Ommmm.   Create your own little mantra when you find it hard to express and communicate with God.  It could be a quiet chant of "Jesus, I love you above all things" or a short ejaculation.  Keep this thought:  God created you and you live...that is a prayer in itself.  Thank Him for it.

Credo!

Spero!

Amo!

I believe

I hope

I love

from Blessed Antony Grassi

I AM THE RESURRECTION

AND THE LIFE;

HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME,

EVEN IF HE DIE, SHALL LIVE,

AND WHOEVER LIVES,

AND BELIEVES IN ME,

SHALL NEVER DIE

John 11: 25-26

+++

Have you ever wondered why there are those that say they don't believe in God, call on Him or out to Him in times of stress, pain or near death?   There are two names that wounded or dying soldiers call out for; their mothers and God.  I don't remember in which order.  It doesn't matter.  It is enough that they call out.

Well, I ran over to E'town and got my TB test done.  Now I will have to go back and get it read.  More gas to buy for  the van.  Also, I had to get the air and heater worked on.  Some little gizmo went out.  The van only has 36.000 miles on it and already I had to get new brakes on the front.  Always something to take your money even if you don't have it.  So...everything on the chalkboard has been erased and tomorrow I will to start anew.

END

LITTLE LAMB

JESUS IS OUR SHEPHERD,

WIPING EVERY TEAR

AND HELD WITHIN HIS

SACRED HEART

WHAT HAVE WE TO FEAR?

ONLY LET US FOLLOW

WHEREVER HE DOSES LEAD

TO THE THIRSTY DESERT

OR THE DEWY MEAD

JESUS IS OUR SHEPHERD

LISTEN TO HIS VOICE

HOW HIS GENTLE WHISPER

MAKES OUR HEARTS REJOICE

EVEN WHEN HE CHIDES US

TENDER IN HIS TONE

NONE BUT HE SHALL GUIDE US;

WE ARE HIS ALONE

JESUS IS OUR SHEPHERD

FOR HIS SHEEP HE BLED

WE..HIS LAMBS HE SPRINKLED

WITH THE BLOOD HE SHED

THEN IN EACH HE MARKED US

WITH HIS SACRED SIGN

THEY THAT HAVE MY SPIRIT

"THESE," HE SAID, "ARE MINE"

+++

How are we marked or designated?  We are marked upon baptism.  We are wiped clean of sin and consecrated to Christ.  What we do thereafter is another story.  Will we remain free of sin and adhere to the way of the Lord?  You know there is a bit of goodness and sinfulness in the best of us  and we don't remain free from sin very long after baptism.  With the age of reason we seem to chose the path we want to follow even though it may not be the way that was intended for us by the Holy Spirit.  We have that independent, free-will clause in our contract with Christ. Did you sign your  "papers" with indelible ink or with a pencil that can be erased?  Funny thing about pencils: they have a tendency to smudge a little and leave a little tell-tale residue of who or what we are..or what we have been-or could become.

Maturity and aging does change us.  We can age gracefully in the Spirit, finding more time to pray, reflect and meditate.  And that is good.  Or we can stagnate or move on in the Spirit or..fall backward.  The choice is yours.  There is an old saying, "What you are at 30 is what you will be that at 70."  Deify that adage.  I'm trying to.

A note to ISLAM:  I read your comment very carefully.  I can only say that there is corruption in men of  all religion, cults or persuasions. There is also goodness, compassion and mercy to be found in people of all faiths.  Nowhere do I advocate violence or hatred to God's creation...man.  If you find a wormy apple, don't you try to save the fruit?  Yes, you try to remove the  worm and retain what is good.  Keep in mind that I am not a theologian and I don't know all the answers.  I am a simple person with a simple mind.  Your comment made me think-ponder.  Bad things happen to good people...and nations.  Please feel invited to return to my postings and offer any comments.  You are most welcome to voice or contribute.



A CHILD'S POEM

A LITTLE LAMB, O LORD, BEHOLD

AND MAKE ME ONE OF JESU'S FOLD

AND MAY I FROM THIS DAY BEGIN

TO LOVE YOUR WAYS AND FLEE FROM SIN.

END

ALL ABOUT CHOICES

OH, HAPPY DAY THAT FIXED MY CHOICE

ON YOU MY SAVIOR AND MY GOD

MAY THIS GRATEFUL HEART REJOICE

AND TELL ITS RAPTURE IN A LOVING VOICE

OH, HAPPY DAY, OH HAPPY DAY

WHEN JESUS WASHED MY SINS AWAY

HE TAUGHT ME HOW TO WATCH AND PRAY

AND LIVE REJOICING EVERY DAY

WHEN JESUS WASHED MY SINS AWAY.

You never know what you can do until you try.  Success is  within you and you can do great things for the Lord.  The seed is planted, but hard work is needed for the growth of the spirit.  If you fix your eyes on the goal and strive for it with all your love and passion, you will grow and mature as the seed that was cast in good soil.  You can be a saint depending on your will and desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus....to walk in his shadow.

This has been a blow-away day with tornado watches and wind gusts as high as 60+ miles per hour.  The rains came later and it will cool down.  

I went to the store to get some things for Thanksgiving.  I couldn't find mushrooms or oysters for oyster dressing.  I will try again in a couple of days.  I still need to get eggs for deviled eggs and small smoky links.  My friends love all this, but I could take it or leave it.  None of it is on my diet.  I have lost 12 lbs. and want to lose more, but I know what will happen on Thanksgiving day.

I will really have to watch my calories this week and next in order not to look like a fat Turkey after Turkey Day.

END

THE GIDDY LAMB...IZ ZAT U?

A GIDDY LAMB ONE AFTERNOON

HAD FROM THE FOLD DEPARTED;

THE TENDER SHEPHERD MISSED IT SOON,

AND SOUGHT IT BROKEN-HEARTED;

NOT ALL THE FLOCK THAT SHARED HIS LOVE

COULD FROM THE SEARCH DELAY HIM,

NOR CLOUDS OF MIDNIGHT DARKNESS MOVE,

NOR FEAR OF SUFFERING STAY HIM.

,

BUT NIGHT AND DAY HE WENT HIS WAY,

IN SORROW TILL HE FOUND IT,

AND WHEN HE SAW IT FAINTING LIE,

 HE WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND IT;

AND, CLOSELY SHELTERED TO HIS BREAST,

FROM EVERY ILL TO SAVE IT,

HE BROUGHT IT TO HIS HOME OF REST,

AND PITIED AND FORGAVE IT.

AND SO THE SAVIOR WILL RECEIVE

THE LITTLE ONES THAT FEAR HIM;

THEIR PAIN REMOVED THEIR SIN FORGIVE,

AND DRAW THEM GENTLY TO HIM:

BLESS WHILE THEY LIVE AND WHEN THEY DIE

AND SOUL AND BODY SEVER,

CONDUCT TO HIS HOME ON HIGH,

TO DWELL WITH HIM FOREVER.

from Faloon's collection of  Hymns.

This hymn was written in"old English," but isn't all that hard to read or understand.  So I ask you, are you feeling giddy?

Giddiness is something of a light-headiness or a feeling of faintness or even a measure of silly foolishness.  We all get "giddy" sometimes.  I would rather think of giddiness in terms of lightness of spirit and joy in the Lord.  I wish we could feel that way all the time for all the right reasons and "pass it on."  It is the Joy of the Lord that leads others to the church and to salvation.  How can we and the Lord not love a happy Christian?  True joy comes from true Love.  So...if you feel a little silly and spiritually elevated in Christ our Lord...well, pass it on.  Laughter is known as the best medicine for all ills and can make you well "down here and up there."  We know that no one can be joyful all the time, but give it try...it becomes infectious.

You already know about the parable Of the Lost Sheep.  You can find it in Matt. 18: 12-40 and in Luke 15: 15-17.  and John 10: 2-4.  Oh No!  You want me to read it to you, too!!  Sorry, my voice won't reach that far!

"The attire of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the gait of a man, show what he is.   Eccl. XIX 27.

 Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.  Let your modesty be known to all men.  Phil. IV. 4: 5

I must have missed something:  It seems like this week has gone by very fast.  Tomorrow-Sunday-is my "day off" again.  If you can't make it to church...say a little prayer...God hears the least of us and knows our hearts.

END

POVERTY

This I have said before:  I may not have everything I want, but I have what I need.  By this countrie's standards I am poor.  By the standards of other countries I am rich.  I have a roof over my head, electricity, indoor plumbing and heat.  I have a warm bed to crawl into at night.  I am blessed.

Poverty in itself is not a virtue.  Poverty is a way of life in third world countries, a force that the multitudes have no or little control over.  It is a enforced way of life and unwanted. 

Poverty in religious life or in a secular life is a chosen vow  or promise, for the good of a community or a personal sacrifice-commitment, for the good of the spirit.  If poverty will help me on my personal journey, I will try to live without all the extraneous material things that clutters up my life.

You will say, "But you have a computer...a TV...good transportation...and food in the pantry!"  Yes, I do, yet I am far from being wealthy or even of the lower income class in this "land of plenty."  People on "the dole" have more money than I do and all the nice things that they can acquire.  I don't care...I have what I need.  Even so, there are so many in this country that are absolutely and truly poor and destitute, lacking in the basic necessities.  We just don't see them... even with wide open eyes.

If you can or do practice a spiritual poverty, then you know that it is a disputation of spirit over the mind and body or your temporal desires.  I am slowly divesting myself of material things and wants. 

 It is isn't easy because we always "want."  It is human nature to see what others have and you or I, don't.  Remember, most of the great and bloody wars were fought for land and riches.  Many will say that religion was the cause of all the big conflicts, but that is just an excuse for greed, jealousies and just plain evilness. 

The Bible speaks of poverty many times.  To paraphrase, Jesus tells His disciples it that its more difficult for a rich man to get into heaven than for a Camel to pass through the eye of a needle.  Yet it does not say "imposable."

Much of the teachings-The Word of Christ-had to do with poverty, and the spiritual and physical state of man.

"But when you givest alms

do not let thy left hand

know what the right hand

is doing, so that thy alms

may be given in secret:

and thy Father,

who sees in secret;

will reward thee.

Matt. 6: 3-

+++

The spirit of the Lord is upon me

because He has anointed me;

to bring good news to the poor

he has sent me.

Luke 4: 18

+++

For the poor you have always with you,

but you do not always have me.

John 12: 8

+++

Search for more about the poor in Matt. 25: 34-40...26: 11.

See Luke 6: 20 and 6: 36.  Also read The Beatitudes in Matt. 5: 3-11 and in Luke 6: 20-23.  The Old Testament has numerous texts about poverty and alms giving.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around that proverbial corner, keep in mind all of God's poor that will being doing without.  If you haven't money or material goods to give...then perhaps a visit or a needed task or activity can supplant in place of.    "Brother, can you spare a dime?  How about "Brother, can you spare some time?"  Remember: You are not supposed to tell the world, "I did this or that."

OK.  I got a few things done and went to the Dollar Tree for some things.  I finally went to the Chinese Restaurant for a late lunch.  Eating out is one of my weakness, but even that is being "given up" in a sense.  I also super cleaned my kitchen floor to the point that the mop water was pretty clean and clear.  Maybe I over-cleaned?  But then again, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness"....right?

END