Archive for August, 2008

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He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

August 23, 2008

When: Saturday, August 23, 2008 12:00 AM to Sunday, August 24, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
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Words written in red; Words of Jesus
Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples,  "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat;  so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice.  They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,  and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues,  and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men.  But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren.  And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ.  He who is greatest among you shall be your servant;  whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23: 1 – 12
 
Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain; He may prolong my life, He may shorten it; He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends, He may throw me among strangers, He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide the future from me. Still, He knows what He is about!  He loves to see the trust makes us persist in knocking unceasingly.
— John Henry Cardinal Newman
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful and seeking humility I come to You today singing the words of the Psalmist:
‘Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. 
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. Righteousness will go before him, and make his footsteps a way.‘
And praying the words Jesus taught me to pray;
‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, They kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us as we forgive others. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for Thy is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever,’
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

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must see things with the eyes of eternity without that mad urge for material things. From this will come peace and calmness and you will give life and vigor to ever so many without losing your own vitality.

August 23, 2008

When: Friday, August 22, 2008 12:00 AM to Saturday, August 23, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
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Words written in red; Words of Jesus
And Jesus replied, "But why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?"
Luke 21:49
 
Man works thinking only of today. You must see things with the eyes of eternity without that mad urge for material things. From this will come peace and calmness and you will give life and vigor to ever so many without losing your own vitality.
— St. Josemaria Escriva
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful, always seeking humility balanced at the foot of the Cross with the courage needed to walk by faith with Jesus as my Lord, Savior, Teacher and Example of how to walk under the sun. It does not get any easier to accept that I will always fall short, but landing at the feet of Jesus on the Cross, I know I can reach up and He will take my hand and lift me up, and in and through prayer and conscious connected thought with Him, He will carry me. For to me has been given the blessing to feel the power of Jesus, in Word, in Spirit, and though I stumble, and though I doubt, I come back to the foot of the Cross to climb up and above the deafening, blinding and fearfulness under the sun. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen,
 
4  For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as on the day of Mid’ian. 
6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 
Psalm 113:1-8
Luke 1:26-38
38  And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

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many are called, but few are chosen."

August 22, 2008

When: Thursday, August 21, 2008 12:00 AM to Friday, August 22, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
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Words written in red; Words of Jesus
And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, `Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.’ But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, `The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. "But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, `Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, `Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen."
Matthew 22: 1 – 14  
 
Truly we are passing through disastrous times, when we may well make our own the lamentation of the Prophet: "There is no truth, and there is no mercy, and there is no knowledge of God in the land" (Hosea 4:1). Yet in the midst of this tide of evil, the Virgin Most Merciful rises before our eyes like a rainbow, as the arbiter of peace between God and man.
— St. Pius X
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful, humble and wonderingly seeking with the innocence of my childhood, not the corrupted and burdened mind of my years I come and ask for Your grace, mercy and blessings. Blessings not as the world under the sun seeks but spiritual blessings which You know I know are far more valuable and like the seeds that fell on good ground and soil, sprung roots to withstand the ways, tribulations, disappointments and most of all produces fruit of the Spirit to help be, comfort and understand the needs of others. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 
26 A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. 
Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19
Matthew 22:1-14
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

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The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;

August 20, 2008

When: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 12:00 AM to Thursday, August 21, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
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Words written in red; Words of Jesus
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.  And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place; and to them he said, `You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went.  Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same.  And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, `Why do you stand here idle all day?’  They said to him, `Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, `You go into the vineyard too.’  And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, `Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’  And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.  Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius.  And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder, saying, `These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’  But he replied to one of them, `Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?  Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you.  Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’  So the last will be first, and the first last." 
Matthew 20: 1 – 16
 
To work with an intention of acquiring more glory in Heaven is good, but the more perfect is the desire to give glory to God. Let us be sure that the more we divest ourselves of earthly interests, so much the more our Savior will increase our joy in Paradise.
— St. Bernard
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, humble and angry, yet thankful I come to You. Looking for answers, needing an extra portion of grace, I feel emptied by those not walking with You and those You hide behind Your name but take, take, take; unwilling to share, unable to be strong in the little things, help me find the fruit of the Spirit. Fill me with mercy and grace for I know that in each window there is a mirror, and that which I think I see, may really be me. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 
1  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;  2  he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;  3  he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.  5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.  6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 
Matthew 20:1-16
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

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I worry until midnight, and from then on I let God worry.

August 19, 2008

When: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:00 AM to Wednesday, August 20, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Words written in red; Words of Jesus
And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?"  Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  But many that are first will be last, and the last first.
Matthew 19: 23 – 30
 
I worry until midnight, and from then on I let God worry.
— St. Louis
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful, and always seeking humility I come to You today, for I know that all I have done / been and will do / be is a gift from You mixed with my awareness to be obedient in following the teachings, truths and secrets of Jesus revealed to me through the Spirit while being a good steward. One of the first of which is that the fact that a proud heart cannot serve You, for just as it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, so too a proud man cannot know his source of source, You and remain proud. While I read the readings of the Old Testament I do become confused and think of many questions as to why to ask You, but  then I come to the Gospels of Jesus my confusion becomes focus and my questions become how. O that You would bless me and mine indeed, keeping us humble and protecting us from evil and making us conscious of the pain we create when we let ourselves become proud and our focus switch from the feet of Jesus on the cross to our feet as we walk; for it is only at the feet of Jesus that we can find the truth, the secret to a humble heart, capable of keeping others first, always remembering that when we do, the words of Jesus may come true and if we are blessed to be one of the first, we will be twice blessed when we embrace the last, for after all one cannot love You and follow Jesus and not want to know that one of the last is there because they got to see us love You and follow Jesus. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy First, Amen.
 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

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"Guard" says St Paul, "what has been committed".

August 18, 2008

When: Monday, August 18, 2008 12:00 AM to Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
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Words written in red; Words of Jesus
And behold, one came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."  He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?"  Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."  When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.
Matthew 19: 16 – 22
 
"Guard" says St Paul, "what has been committed". What does it mean? It is what has been faithfully entrusted to you, not what has been discovered by you; what you have received, not what you have thought up; be not the leader but the follower!
— St. Vincent of Lerins
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful, humble, confused and seeking; seeking Your guidance and confused what and how I should do. Away from the world, alone with You, outside the body it all seems so easy, but I do not walk alone, outside and away. I am present with others and You, inside the body wanting to be in the spirit, and anything but alone. So today I seek to walk according to the words of St. Vincent; guarding, what has been committed, entrusted, received as a follower of Jesus. Help me to accomplish this today and to seek to accept and enjoy with honor and courage that which is my gift to me. For You are my source of source. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

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Who doesn’t see that the world is an unjust judge, gracious, favorable to its own children, but harsh towards the children of God? Whatever we do, the world will wage war against us. For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy

August 17, 2008

When: Sunday, August 17, 2008 10:30 AM-11:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Words written in red; Words of Jesus
And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.  And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon."  But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us."  He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."  And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs."  She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table."  Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.
Matthew 15: 21 – 28
 
Who doesn’t see that the world is an unjust judge, gracious and favorable to its own children, but harsh towards the children of God? Whatever we do the, the world will wage war against us.
— St. Francis de Sales
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful and humbly I ask that You let Your grace rain in me producing peace and understanding through the fruit of Jesus’ Spirit which lives with my spirit within me to create a gentle, kind and loving light that will shine for You so that as the Psalmist sings ‘that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving power among all‘. For as Paul tells us ‘Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy. For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.‘ Let Your mercy and grace be visible in and through me. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 
 
 

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