Desperate For You

Dear God

DEAR GOD:

I want to thank You for what you have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet;
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job;
I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier
or the challenges are removed;
I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

The Prince of Peace Award

The Prince of Peace Award

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

In a world that seems to thrive on war and violence, it is indeed a blessing to have bloggers who share their faith and love of God with others.

These blogs are passionate about their faith, are a voice for the voiceless, are sources of inspiration, hope and true kindness, they are an oasis where a weary spirit can stop for a while and rest and be refreshed.

Every act of love no matter how small is a work of peace and these bloggers go above and beyond the call to reach out to others. They bring The Prince of Peace to us; we enter as visitors and fellow bloggers and leave as friends.

At this time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we thank you, our friends, for all you do to make the spirit of the The Prince of Peace ever more present in our lives, not only at this time but everyday.

Please accept and share this Award with Christian bloggers who bring The Prince of Peace to others.

Love, Joy, Peace and Merry Christmas

Marie and Ginny xxooxxoo

Lord, I Give This Day To You

Good Morning Lord,
I Love you... So what should I do this day?
I open up my heart to you;
would you just lead my way?
Is there someone I need to see
or something I should do?
I'm willing Lord... just show me
for "I give this day to You"!
I s there a lonely soul out there
who needs someone to care?
I'm willing to reach out to them...
I'm willing... lead me there;
Or is there someone ill today
who needs my Nursing care?
I'm willing Lord, to go to them
If you'll just lead me there!
Or could it be your will for me
is stay at home and pray?
I'm willing Lord... this day is yours
so you just lead my way!
There's nothing more important Lord,
than just to do your will;
Surrender all my heart and soul and
serve you Lord until,
My journey through this land is o'er..
My life on earth has passed;
Then I'll walk through those Pearly Gates,
to be with You at last!

A Lesson Learned

Words can never show
What's really down inside
Our actions show our truer 'selves'
The 'me' we try to hide.

We fight to stuff it all within,
The guilt and shame we feel.
It's not until we start to "let go"
That we begin to really heal.

Tears come welling up, I'm scared!
Of the demon that's within.
I want to change but feel so weak
To fight what some call Sin.

Again, it's "letting go" I need,
To acknowledge I have NO power.
Then, and only then I'll see,
That this is my finest hour!

In now, my greatest weakness,
I finally fall to my knees.
In humble broken powerlessness
I now see my "Sin disease".

Tears, they come as floods
I think I won't survive.
But in the midst of the death I feel,
Perhaps I am for the first time "alive".

Can it be? That all this pain,
Was not a waste of my life?
But rather I had valuable lessons to learn
Through disappointment and strife?

I see more clearly with each day
That the "hell" that I've been in,
Is really my "dying to self"
So that a new life could begin.

Could God not help me??
In the chaos I was in?
Yes, I suppose He was,
But I had to let Him in.

In past times, I would not really let go
And let God enter in.
I wanted life to be as I prescribed it
Which was my greatest Sin.

With devastation all around me
And my life hopelessly out of my control.
I cannot fix others whom I love
Much less, myself console.

God help me learn to love
The way you want me to.
Grant me the serenity to accept
The love that comes from You.

I am a new creation
And learning how to truly "live"
Taking each day as a gift from God
A truer love I now receive and give.

Anon

Looking For Love In The Wrong Places

Many people in today’s world are seeking validation in all the wrong places and in the wrong people. In that in order to feel good about themselves they rely on another’s opinion, this leads to a roller coaster ride of insecurities.

We see in the world around us, how many people fall into the trap of making the outside look perfect whilst ignoring the inner soul. Even in this consumer society, just how many face lifts, botox treatments and divorces do people need in order to gain some sense of security?

Many reach this predicament because they have forgotten what love is, for sincere love is selfless, it longs to give rather than receive. True love seeks not after its own gratification, but instead it seeks to enrich those who have most need of it. Most especially those in the margins of life, who feel unloved, unwanted and who feel the chill of knowing they are special to noone.

God loves us without need of a receipt.

God does not love us because we have made efforts to deserve it, He loves us because we need Him. Therefore the Triune Spirit endeavours to give each soul the Gifts it needs in order to teach the soul how to Love with Christlike compassion and mercy. But, this Christlike Love is not what we share with our family and friends. This love calls us out into the desert. It calls us to go beyond our bounderies and limitations to risk ourselves, for loves sake alone.

God's Love is a Radical Love.

It is when we place our happiness in the hands of another that we are doomed to a life of inner unhappiness, in that it is beyond man's ability to provide the inner joy and peace that many seek. This inner peace and joy can only be found in Christ, and through the Holy Spirit our souls are illuminated to the fullness and meaningfulness of the essence of Divine Love which ignites the heart and sets itself aflame.

God calls the broken hearted for only He alone can heal that which man has torn asunder.

Love is risky. Love hurts. Love scorches our souls till we cry out in anguish and loss..and then we understand..Love Sacrificed Himself so we could live Eternally with Divine Love.

Written by Marie

Talents & Gifts

Sometimes we focus more on what we cannot do which then fills us with frustration. We look at those around us and can't understand why we also are not as gifted and talented as others.

When we do this we are saying in our hearts that God has not done a very good job, that in fact He has failed us. Many spend so much time in looking at the abilities of others that they fail to see their own uniqueness and individuality.

We all live in this wondrous universe not from Divine mistake but by Divine Design. We are all meant to bring something to the table, not to make sure that our own desires are met, or that we have our fill, but to give something of ourselves to benefit others.

God has given each one of us Gifts and Talents, He has done so not because He wants us to become puffed up with pride but in order to bring Glory to Himself.

Rather than allow one's heart to become frustrated or anxious, instead learn to appreciate the Gifts and different qualities of others.

If you view a painting is your heart full of disappointment? Or do you look at the painting and appreciate the work that went into it and that through another's talent you are able to see this thing of exquisite beauty?

Let's face it, can you make a daffodil out of thin air? Can you make a butterfly with its translucent coloured gossamer wings? Can you bring anyone a sunset so ablaze with vibrant colour that one stands in Awe of such magnificence?

Once we realise that nothing is ours and all is Gift we also realise that to envy another is to envy God Himself.

You are unique, valuable, gifted, generous. There is noone on this planet who is like you. You are one of a kind. This is something to celebrate, so celebrate! Be joyous and realise that yes! It is good to be alive.

Learn to appreciate and be thankful for who you are and what God has given you.

Written by Marie

God Alone

Gimme, Gimme ...

Imagine our conversation if I told you I wanted all the things you were capable of giving me, but I didn't want you.

"I want your support. Life is tough and I need to know someone is always on my side. I want your understanding. Mistakes happen. I need someone who won't look down on me every time I fall. I want your help. Some things are just too difficult to do on my own. I want your love so I will always feel loved. I want your protection so I will always feel safe. But... I don't want you."

"I don't want to associate myself with you in public. If people don't like you, they won't like me. I don't want you to show me the way down any paths. I go where I want to go. I don't want you pricking my conscious with definitions of right and wrong. I do what I want to do. I don't want you revealing any plans you have for me. I have plans of my own. I don't want you calling on me when there's work to be done. I'm a busy person. I don't want you interrupting my life."

What kind of a response do you think those 'wants' and 'don't wants' would invoke?

Sure? No problem? I'm in? What can I do for you first?

Hardly.

Silence?

Likely.

It's difficult to imagine anyone expecting so much, and so unwilling to give anything in return.

Yet...

How many of us are having that same conversation...

Right now...

With God?

It's Not Fair God

Is God fair? Not by worldly standards. If God were to follow the worldly order of things, then those who go to Mass everyday, those who eat fish on Fridays and follow to the utmost degree the dictates of their beliefs should get a free ticket into Heaven, right? Wrong!

Faith is not a contest. It isnt a race where there are winners and losers. Most can remember the numerous Gold Medals won by the American athlete Carl Lewis or the numerous Olympic medals won by Susie O'Neill who was given the nickname 'Madame Butterfly' for her efforts in the pool. But who remembers who came last?

The world applauds winners while God shows Mercy to sinners. We are not sent to jail when we have confessed our wrong doing. No, we are forgiven.

This grates on a lot of people who do follow their beliefs to live a Godly life. Why then does God favour the 'Johnny-come-lately' who have led dissolute lives and then at the last minute they seek God's forgiveness? It isn't fair.

God favours the loser in us all, if He didnt we would all be lost for who can measure themselves against the Triune Spirit? Who can equal God?

Our God is a God of the second chance. He is the God who favours the least amongst us. A God who chases the lost soul when all have given up. God stays the course when we have walked away, why? Because God Loves.

Picture God's love as all the oceans and the sea's combined and then see your love as a tear drop, does it bear comparison?

When we look at the Prodigal son, we all feel a little sorry for the one who stayed with his father while the wastrel son spent his fortune on wine, women and song. Yet, the father rejoiced at his son's return. What of the elder son were not his criticism of his younger brother truthful? The elder son was looking for fairness and found his father unfair.

Are we so perfect that we can say to God, 'just give us one chance. We will get it right the first time?' If you can say this then you have made yourself greater than any Saint in Heaven, for every Saint in Heaven believed and was saved by the God of the second chance.

MARY's Song-A Reflection

My soul doth magnify

And glory in the Lord

His lowly handmaiden

He has chosen over all

My spirit doth rejoice

Over God my saviour

For He has truly blessed me

And shown great favour

Blessed and exalted

Is the fruit of her womb

The promise from ages past

Was coming very soon

I wonder if Mary

The servant of the Lord

Understood with depth

The magnitude of her call

The son she brought forth

Called Holy and righteous

Blessed Prince of Peace

Forever there to guide us

Did she know that Jesus

Is the name above all names?

That no one else can save us

And take away our shame

No Room

No room, he said, there is no room;
there's no room here for you.
But there's a stable you can use;
I'm sure that it will do.

I wonder just how Mary felt
when they were turned away.
I wonder if she softly wept,
and what did Joseph say?

I wonder if he held her hand
that cold night,
assuring her that everything
would somehow be all right.

And did the keeper of the inn
feel guilt, remorse, and shame,
or did he merely look at them
with arrogant disdain?

I wonder if the animals
awoke from where they slept
and grazed awhile upon the hay,
and if the stable smelt.

I wonder if she shivered much
in piercing, frigid clime,
and if she agonized in birth,
and did it take much time?

I wonder if she wept with joy;
did Joseph beam with pride
and gaze upon his little son
asleep at Mary's side?

I wonder if the shepherds knew,
when they heard angels sing,
the baby born upon this night
was born to be the King.

As Christ seeks entry to all hearts,
transgressions to inhume,
I wonder why that still today
so many say no room.

Mary Beloved of God

Mary's part in the Salvation of man is of the utmost importance for each of us, for through Mary, we also learn to live the Divine Will with perfection, as did Mary. It was never God's intention to consign Mary to the history books as if she had no more to offer in and of herself.

Mary, was chosen by God to help bring Salvation to all men, through the birth of her son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The most singular feature in this is that God loved Mary for who she was and not for what she would give Him. This is why understanding Mary's unique place in the Salvation of man is integral, because it reveals the Love of our Heavenly Father to his children.

God is a delicate and sensitive Father who Loves us with a depth that the human mind will never be able to comprehend. How can so many disregard the role that Mary played in the Salvation of mankind, as if she were of little consequence?

It is Mary that teaches us true humility in that she drew no attention to herself but instead always points to her Son. Our Blessed Mother looked for no earthly titles in that God loved her for herself, what need would she have had for grand palaces or worldly titles?

Mary knew what was important in life and it was not in a gaining of things but in a giving of herself, an emptying of herself for love of all mankind. Through her Fiat, God became man with both Divine and human nature.

It is Mary who reveals the Awesome Love of God The Father who sent His Son to be the Savior of All.

Let us raise our voices in Praise for our Heavenly Father not for what He gives us but to love God for Himself alone.

Twas the Beginning of Advent

Twas the beginning of Advent and all through the Church
Our hope was all dying-- we'd given up on the search.
It wasn't so much that Christ wasn't invited,
But after 2,000 plus years we were no longer excited.

Oh, we knew what was coming-- no doubt about that.
And that was the trouble-- it was all "old hat."
November brought the first of an unending series of pains
With carefully orchestrated advertising campaigns.

There were gadgets and dolls and all sorts of toys.
Enough to seduce even the most devout girls and boys.

Unfortunately, it seemed, no one was completely exempt
From this seasonal virus that did all of us tempt.

The priests and prophets and certainly the kings
Were all so consumed with the desire for "things!"
It was rare, if at all, that you'd hear of the reason
For the origin of this whole holy-day season.

A baby, it seems, once had been born
In the mid-east somewhere on that first holy-day morn.
But what does that mean for folks like us,
Who've lost ourselves in the hoopla and fuss?

Can we re-learn the art of wondering and waiting,
Of hoping and praying, and anticipating?
Can we let go of all the things and the stuff?
Can we open our hands and our hearts long enough?

Can we open our eyes and open our ears?
Can we find him again after all of these years?
Will this year be different from all the rest?
Will we be able to offer him all of our best?

So many questions, unanswered thus far,
As wisemen seeking the home of the star.
Where do we begin-- how do we start
To make for the child a place in our heart?

Perhaps we begin by letting go
Of our limits on hope, and of the stuff that we know.
Let go of the shopping, of the chaos and fuss,
Let go of the searching, let Christmas find us.

We open our hearts, our hands and our eyes,
To see the king coming in our own neighbors' cries.
We look without seeking what we think we've earned,
But rather we're looking for relationships spurned.

With him he brings wholeness and newness of life
For brother and sister, for husband and wife.
The Christ-child comes not by our skill,
But rather he comes by his own Father's will.

We can't make him come with parties and bright trees,
But only by getting down on our knees.
He'll come if we wait amidst our affliction,
Coming in spite of, not by our restriction.

His coming will happen-- of this there's no doubt.
The question is whether we'll be in or out.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock."
Do you have the courage to peer through the lock?

A basket on your porch, a child in your reach.
A baby to love, to feed and to teach.
He'll grow in wisdom as God's only Son.
How far will we follow this radical one?

He'll lead us to challenge the way that things are.
He'll lead us to follow a single bright star.
But that will come later if we're still around.
The question for now: Is the child to be found?

Can we block out commercials, the hype and the malls?
Can we find solitude in our holy halls?
Can we keep alert, keep hope, stay awake?
Can we receive the child for ours and God's sake?

From on high with the caroling host as he sees us,
He yearns to read on our lips the prayer: Come Lord Jesus!
As Advent begins all these questions make plea.
The only true answer: We will see, we will see.

Emmanuel Award

Emmanuel Award

"God With Us"

In a consumer society it is a blessing to read blogs where the writer's main focus is God. Where they express their love for their faith so visibly and joyfully.

In a cynical world it is refreshing to see so many blogs which are generous, giving, who care about others and demonstrate what being a Christian is about, loving God and loving our neighbor.

Through their faith, lives and spirituality, they bring God to us, they in essence make God visible, 'God with us.'

This Award goes to all the faith filled blogs who make evident 'Emmanuel'- God with us, with Joy in their hearts.

Please share this Award with Christian blogs that focus on the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior.

Peace, JOY & Merry Christmas

Marie & Ginny

Radiating Christ

Dear Jesus,
help me to spread Your fragrance
everywhere I go.
Flood my soul with Your Spirit and Life.
Penetrate and possess my whole being
so utterly that my life may only be
a radiance of Yours.
Shine through me and be so in me
that every soul I come in contact with
may feel Your presence in my soul.
Let then look up,
and see no longer me, but only Jesus!
Stay with me and then I will begin
to shine as You shine,
so as to shine as to be a light to others.
The light, o Jesus, will be all from You;
none of it will be mine.
It will be You, shining on others through me.
Let me thus praise You
in the way You love best,
by shining on those around me.
Let me preach You without preaching,
not by words but by example,
by the catching force,
the sympathetic influence of what I do,
the evident fullness of the love
my heart bears for You. Amen.

Composed by John Henry Cardinal Newman
and one of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta's favorite prayers.
She TRULY LIVED this prayer!

In Christ We Have

In Christ we have . . .

A love that can never be fathomed,
A life that can never die,
A righteousness that can never be tarnished,
A peace that can never be understood,
A rest that can never be disturbed,
A joy that can never be diminished,
A hope that can never be disappointed,
A glory that can never be clouded,
A light that can never be darkened,
A purity that can never be defiled,
A beauty that can never be marred,
A wisdom that can never be baffled,
Resources that can never be exhausted.
Jesus our all in all!

The Beauty That You Are

In the quiet of the night, I wait to hear you speak to me

On my knees I pray, for Your answers

And yet, I must be still & wait for You, to impress upon my heart Your desires of me.

In the quiet of the night I wait...

In the quiet of the church, I’ve come to be with You a while

On my knees I pray for Your guidance

On my knees I beg for your helping hand

And yet, I kneel so still & gaze at You, for all all the beauty that You are, to me

In the stillness of the church, I pray...

In the quiet of my heart, I think of all the things I’m sorry for

I know You’ll forgive me, again and again.

Still I weep for my failures to You

And yet, I must prepare, and come to you, to sail Your ocean of forgiveness, Your love

In the quiet of your presence, I pray... To You

In the quiet of my prayer - I thank You

Covering of Prayer

I snuggled down in comfort
upon my nice warm bed,
and pulled the blanket 'round me,
touching the pillow with my head.

I closed my eyes in peacefulness
and waited patiently,
for the sound of angels' fluttering wings
as they surrounded me.

I felt the Lord as He drew near
to wrap me in His care,
and my lips uttered my praises
as I approached my Lord in prayer.

When I gave to Him my worries,
and all the turmoil of today,
I felt His gentle touch on me
as He wiped tears and fears away.

When stardust floated downward,
my worries lay in a heap,
as the Lord discarded each one
before filling my eyes with sleep.

Oh, the joy of knowing nightly
that Jesus would be there,
because the blanket that I pulled up
was a covering of prayer.

The Road Of Faith

Shine your light O Lord
So that I may see
Just where I am heading
And what’s in front of me

Your word is the light
The lamp unto my feet
It may not light far ahead
Nor show me where it’s steep

But it gives enough light
For each step I take
Just enough to see ahead
Along this road of faith

For this is what it surely is
As we walk with Jesus Christ
The road that we are travelling on
Is by faith, not by sight

So shine your light O Lord
So we may see our way
Though you only show in part
It’s enough for each new day