Wednesday, December 21, 2011

A Christmas Letter From Jesus

A Christmas Letter From Jesus

Beloved!
              Well, as you know, it's time for my birthday again. Last year they had a real big party for me and it seems like they will again this year. After all, they've been shopping and preparing for it for months now, and there have been announcements and advertisements almost everyday about how soon it's coming! They really do go overboard about it, but it's nice to know that at least on one day of the year some people are thinking about me a little. You know, it's been many years now since they first started celebrating my birthday. Back then they seemed to realize and appreciate how much fun it is for the little children. Just the same, it seems that most folks are missing the point of it all.
Like last year, for example. When my birthday came around they threw a big party but can you believe it, I wasn't invited!  Imagine! The guest of honor, and they forgot all about me! Here they had begun preparing for the festivities two months in advance but when the big day came I was left out in the cold!
Well, it happened so many times in recent years I wasn't even surprised. Even though I wasn't invited I thought I'd just quietly slip in anyway. So I came in and stood off to the side. Everyone was drinking, laughing and having a grand time, when all of the sudden, in came this fellow in a bright red suit wearing a phony white beard and shouting "Ho Ho Ho!" Everyone cheered, all the children came running over to him, excitedly yelling Santa!" You would have thought that he was the guest of honor and the whole holiday was in his honor! Then he began telling them the most ridiculous stories you've ever heard ... Finally I had to leave, walked out of the door, but no one even noticed that I had gone.

I'm planning of holding my own party! How about that?
It's going to be the biggest, most fantastic feast, you could possibly imagine! I'm not saying the date yet, but I'm sending out invitations now anyway because I know you'll want to come. There's going to be room for everyone who wants to come! I'll reserve you a seat of honor (Matthew 8:11) So hold on to your hat because when everything is ready I'm going to spring it as a big surprise and a lot of people are going to be left out in the cold because they didn't answer my invitation! Let me know right away if you'd like to come and I'll reserve you a place and write your name in large golden letters in my
BIG GUEST BOOK!!

                                                                    Much Love,
                                                                      JESUS

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Benedict XVI: 3 Christmas Wishes

Benedict XVI Reveals His 3 Christmas Wishes
Reflects on Light as He Illuminates 'Tree' on Italian Mountain
 Before using a tablet computer to light the electronic tree sprawled across the slopes at Gubbio, Italy, Benedict XVI on Wednesday took a moment to reveal what he wants for Christmas.
"Before lighting the tree," he said, "I would like to express three wishes. This Christmas tree is formed on the slopes of Mt. Ingino at whose summit is found the basilica of Gubbio's patron saint, St. Ubaldo. When we look at it our eyes are lifted up, raised toward the sky, toward the world of God.
"My first wish, therefore, is that our gaze, that of our minds and our hearts, not rest only on the horizon of this world, on its material things, but that in some way, like this tree that tends upward, it be directed toward God. God never forgets us but He also asks that we don't forget Him."
 
The Holy Father's second and third wish relate to light.
"The Gospel," he said, "recounts that, on the holy night of Christ's birth, a light enveloped the shepherds, announcing a great joy to them: the birth of Jesus, the one who brings us light, or better, the One who is the true light that illuminates all. The great tree that I will light up shortly overlooks the city of Gubbio and will illuminate the darkness of the night with its light.
 
"My second wish is that we recall that we also need a light to illumine the path of our lives and to give us hope, especially in this time in which we feel so greatly the weight of difficulties, of problems, of suffering, and it seems that we are enshrouded in a veil of darkness. But what light can truly illuminate our hearts and give us a firm and sure hope? It is the Child whom we contemplate on Christmas, in a poor and humble manger, because He is the Lord who draws near to each of us and asks that we receive Him anew in our lives, asks us to want Him, to trust in Him, to feel His presence, that He is accompanying us, sustaining us, and helping us."
 
The Pontiff presented his third wish with this reflection: "This great tree is formed of many lights. My final wish is that each of us contribute something of that light to the spheres in which we live: our families, our jobs, our neighborhoods, towns, and cities."
The "tree" is made up of an arrangement of colored lights on the side of Mount Ingino. It is a tradition at the site since 1981.
The base of the image is approximately 450 meters (492 yards) wide and it extends for 750 meters (820 yards) up the hillside from the city's mediaeval walls to the basilica of St. Ubaldo. The outline of the tree is traced with 300 green lights, and 400 multicolored lights fill it in.
 
"That each of us be a light for those who are at our sides; that we leave aside the selfishness that, so often, closes our hearts and leads us to think only of ourselves; that we may pay greater attention to others, that we may love them more," the Pope wished. "Any small gesture of goodness is like one of the lights of this great tree: together with other lights it illuminates the darkness of the night, even of the darkest night."

Friday, August 26, 2011

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS ...

CHRISTIAN
WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS ...
An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future.
If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or
that will compromise your mental health.




5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and un clutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.




9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects
over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern,
find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety.
If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.




13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house
key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent
an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do Something for the Kid in You everyday.




16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat healthy foods.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.




20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems
in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try to pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.




25. Keep a folder of favourite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and
hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Remember to pray daily - its our direct communication link with God
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can)
.




31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 ... Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that
you've never been grateful for before.
GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)





************************************
May God Bless You
and
Love You Always....!!!!
§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Personality Test (Interesting...!)

Personality Test

   
This is a real test... given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today.  It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and in their prospective employees.
Dr. Phil scored 55 when he took this test on Oprah. Oprah Winfrey got a 38.  Some people pay a lot of money to find this information out!  Read on, and take the test yourself... this is very interesting... but, don't be overly sensitive!               
The following 10-question personality test is pretty accurate, and it only takes a few minutes. Take this test for yourself and have a pen or pencil and paper ready. Don't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.
Answers are for who you are now and not who you were in the past. 
Ready? Begin.
1. When do you feel your best?
A)  in the morning
B)  during the afternoon and early evening
C)  late at night
2.  You usually walk (how?)...
A)  fairly fast, with long steps
B)  fairly fast, with little steps
C)  less fast head up, looking the world in the face
D)  less fast, head down
E)  very slowly
3.  When you talk to people, you...
A)  stand with your arms folded
B)  have your hands clasped
C)  have one or both your hands on your hips
D)  touch or push the person to whom you are talking
E)  play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair
4.  When relaxing, you sit with...
A)   your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
B)  your legs crossed
C)  your legs stretched out or straight
D)  one leg curled under you
5.  When something really amuses you, you react with...
A)  big appreciated laugh
B)  a laugh, but not a loud one
C)  a quiet chuckle
D)  a sheepish smile
6.  When you go to a party or social gathering, you...
A)  make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
B)  make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
C)  make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed
7.  You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted. You...
A)  welcome the break
B)  feel extremely irritated
C)  vary between these two extremes
8.  Which of the following colors do you like most?
A)  Red or orange
B)  black
C)  yellow or light blue
D)  green
E)  dark blue or purple
F)  white
G)  brown or gray
9.  When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep, you are...
A)  stretched out on your back
B)  stretched out face down on your stomach
C)  on your side, slightly curled
D)  with your head on one arm
E)  with your head under the covers
10.  You often dream that you are...
A)  falling
B)  fighting or struggling
C)  searching for something or somebody
D)  flying or floating
E)  you usually have dreamless sleep
F)  your dreams are always pleasant
POINTS For SCORE:
1.   (a) 2    (b) 4    (c) 6
2.   (a) 6    (b) 4    (c) 7    (d) 2   (e) 1
3.   (a) 4    (b) 2    (c) 5    (d) 7   (e) 6
4.   (a) 4    (b) 6    (c) 2    (d) 1
5.   (a) 6    (b) 4    (c) 3    (d) 5    (e) 2
6.   (a) 6    (b) 4    (c) 2
7.   (a) 6    (b) 2    (c) 4
8.   (a) 6    (b) 7    (c) 5    (d) 4    (e) 3    (f) 2    (g) 1
9.   (a) 7    (b) 6    (c) 4    (d) 2    (e) 1
10. (a) 4    (b) 2    (c) 3    (d) 5    (e) 6    (f) 1
Now add up your total number of points... and compare below.
OVER 60 POINTS:
Others see you as someone they should 'handle with care.' You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant.  Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.
51 - 60 POINTS: 
Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once, someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.
41 - 50 POINTS: 
Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.
31 - 40 POINTS: 
Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful and practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expects the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you, realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.
21 - 30 POINTS: 
Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.
UNDER 21 POINTS:  
People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything. They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well, know that you aren't.
Remember, this only a sample test. It it not an absolute reflection of you or your personality. It simply allows you to understand how others may view you... as a friend, as an associate, as a quality resource, as a soulmate, etc. Hopefully it helped make you feel better about yourself.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Don’t Pray The Lord's Prayer "Our Father"


Don’t Pray The Our Father, if…


St.Augustine, the doctor of the Church said, “All that we ought to pray is in the Our Father. And all that is not in the Our Father, we need not pray.”

When the disciples asked Jesus, “teach us how to pray”, Jesus gave them the Our Father.

Our Father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On Earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
Amen.

But I say to you today,

Don’t say FATHER,
if you don’t behave like a son or daughter of God.

Don’t say OUR Father,
if you are isolated in your own egoism.

Don’t say YOUR KINGDOM COME, if you are only thinking materialistically, living for this world only.

Don’t say THY WILL BE DONE,
if you are not willing to accept suffering.

Don’t say GIVE US OUR DAILY BREAD,
if you do not care about the needs of others who are less fortunate than you.

Don’t say FORGIVE US OUR SINS, if you are harbouring a grudge against someone, or holding revenge and hurt in your heart.

Don’t say DELIVER US FROM EVIL,
if you are not willing to turn away from the lust of the world.

Don’t say AMEN,
if you have not taken the words of the OUR FATHER seriously.


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Building Your House


An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked!
What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently.
But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. Build wisely!