Pray the Rule!

Good Morning! I received this article in email and think that this is a powerful morning prayer: May all who pray it obtain the graces it invokes and may they be close to Jesus always. 

PRAY THE RULE

Liam McCarthy, OFM

O Lord, our God, we intend to make present the charism of our Seraphic Father Francis in the life and mission of the Church, in various ways and forms but in life-giving union with one another. By our profession, we pledge ourselves to live the Gospel in the manner of St Francis by means of our Rule approved by the Church (Arts. 1-3). Help us, we pray, so that daily we may:

• observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St Francis, going from gospel to life and from life to the gospel (Art. 4);
• seek to encounter the living and active person of Jesus Christ in our brothers and sisters, in sacred scripture, in the Church and in the Eucharist (Art. 5);
• go forth as witnesses and instruments of the Church's mission among people, proclaiming Christ by our life and words (Art. 6);
• conform our thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by the radical interior change which the Gospel calls "conversion", making use of the sacrament of reconciliation on the way to renewal (Art. 7);
• let prayer and contemplation be the soul of all we are and do (Art. 8);
• imitate the Virgin Mary's complete self-giving in her openness to your every word and call (Art. 9);
• faithfully fulfill the duties proper to our various circumstances in life (Art. 10);
• seek the proper spirit of detachment and purify our hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power (Art. 11);
• acquire the purity of heart needed to set ourselves free to love God and our brothers and sisters (Art. 12);
• accept all people as your gift, Lord, and an image of Christ (Art. 13);
• exercise our responsibilities competently in the Christian spirit of service (Art. 14);
• be in the forefront of promoting justice by the testimony of our human lives and by courageous initiatives (Art. 15);
• esteem work both as a gift and as a sharing in the creation, redemption and service of the human community (Art. 16);
• cultivate the Franciscan spirit of peace, fidelity and respect for life in our families, striving to make it a sign of a world already renewed in Christ (Art. 17);
• respect all creatures, animate and inanimate "as bearing the imprint of the Most High" (Art. 18);
• be bearers of peace and messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, as immersed in the resurrection of Christ, we serenely tend towards Sister Death and our ultimate encounter with you, our Father (Art 19).

All this we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Brother.

Amen.

Truth Shines Through!

UNBELIEVABLE PHOTO

This is a beautiful photo of a giant American flag in Arizona . The photo is authentic, UN-Touched and was taken on regular Kodak 35mm film. The person who took the Picture couldn't believe the image created by the sun's rays. Nice of them to share it with the world! Read what it says under the picture.

For those who prefer to think that God is not watching over us. Go ahead and delete this.

For the rest of us.. Pass this on!!!!!

How to Plug the Oil Leak!

Making the rounds in email this morning!

Into Thy Word

It is into thy word Lord I find
Much strength for each new day,
It fills my heart and soul with joy,
It prepares me for the by and by.

Lord, each new morning as I flip
Through its pages smudged and worn,
I find such comfort within my soul,
It fills my heart and makes me whole.

I ask for wisdom each time I read
To understand thy word indeed,
It gives me strength, joy and peace,
Thy word brings, such sweet relief.

Lord, thy word is a map for my feet
As I learn thy truth from within,
I will apply it to my daily living,
And seek to do the best I can.

Thy word is my strength and tower
It is my bread for each new day,
It is my drink when I am thirsty,
Lord, you're my life, You are the way.

Inspirational Gift Ideas

Framed Inspirations are a perfect gift for the upcoming gifts for Moms, teachers, coaches, graduates and Dads. The beautiful photographs and inspirational quotes will inspire your friends and family throughout the year.

Giving Thanks for the dogs in our lives...

Giving Thanks for the dogs in our lives...

Why is it that dogs get such a bum rap... treated like a dog, ugly as as dog, etc.

I am not currently in a relationship with a family dog (cats rejoicing here!!!)
but the dogs of my memory have been wonderful companions and create unforgettable family moments.

My sister has a puppy (?!?) This huge, excitable pit/rot mix who is happy to see everyone and completes my sister's family. They are going through some ruff moments and their Belle helps my dear sis keep her sanity.

Jennie and I both have had shelter dogs and it is rewarding. After hearing of a friends ordeal with their dog in the veterinary ER last night, and the copious amount of love that these furry gifts of God bring to us, it crosses my mind that it might be nice to have a dog around...

But the cats are not of the dog owning persuasion and they are threatening the furniture... looking at me like I should keep my opinions to myself... If only they would keep their opinions to themselves...

Look for their rebuttal post when they learn my password. They already spend more time on the computer (and/or printer) than the kids.

Billy Graham @ 90 - A Prayer for Our Nation

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare... We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.. We have abused power and called it politics... We have coveted our neighbour's possessions and called it ambition.. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honoured values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free.. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over both our nations and wholeheartedly become our desire for our North American Continent.

Think about this: If you forward this prayer to everyone on your e-mail list, in less than 30 days it would be heard by the world. (It's worth a try!) One Nation Under God..