Psalm of God's Good Time
Divine Friend, I feel sorry
for those whose clocks
have faces that are circled
with terrible things
rather than twelve numbers.
I pray for those who
measure time by misfortunes,
their miseries the minutes
ticked off with groans
the life is so painful
In their hourglass of life
each grain of sand is a sorrow,
trickling trials piling up,
making mountains of miseries
from molehills of sad sand.
May I keep your good time
O God:
all my clocks measuring life
only by counting your rich
blessings,
hour by hour, your gifts galore,
making twice as long
a lifetime ticking with
thanksgiving.
Saint Paul proclaimed the need to give thanks always
and for everything. Regardless of the symbols or
numbers printed on the face of your wristwatch or
clock, to keep time according to God's good time is to
know what time it is: It is time to give thanks.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
You'll love this, it is so right on....
This pretty much spells it out, even with ALS, I feel special... (Sirach 2/duties toward God)
My son, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials.
Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity.
Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great.
Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient.
for in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation.
Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.
You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall.
You who fear the Lord, trust him, and your reward will not be lost.
You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.
Study generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the Lord and been disappointed?
Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken?
has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?
Compassionate and merciful is the Lord; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble.
Woe to craven hearts and drooping hands, to the sinner who treads a double path!
Woe to the faint heart who trust not, who therefore will have no shelter.
Woe to you who have lost hope!
what will you do at the visitation of the Lord?
Those who fear the Lord disobey not his words; those who love him keep his ways.
Those who fear the Lord seek to please him, those who love him are filled with his law.
Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts and humble themselves before him.
Let us fall into the hands of the Lord and not into the hands of men,
For equal to his majesty is the mercy that he shows.
My son, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials.
Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity.
Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great.
Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient.
for in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation.
Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.
You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall.
You who fear the Lord, trust him, and your reward will not be lost.
You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.
Study generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the Lord and been disappointed?
Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken?
has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?
Compassionate and merciful is the Lord; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble.
Woe to craven hearts and drooping hands, to the sinner who treads a double path!
Woe to the faint heart who trust not, who therefore will have no shelter.
Woe to you who have lost hope!
what will you do at the visitation of the Lord?
Those who fear the Lord disobey not his words; those who love him keep his ways.
Those who fear the Lord seek to please him, those who love him are filled with his law.
Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts and humble themselves before him.
Let us fall into the hands of the Lord and not into the hands of men,
For equal to his majesty is the mercy that he shows.
Joys and Miseries of Life (Sirach 40)
A great anxiety has God allotted, and a heavy yoke, to the sons of men;
From the day one leaves his mother's womb to the day he returns to the mother of all the living,
His thoughts, the fear in his heart, and his troubled forebodings till the day he dies--
Whether he sits on a lofty throne or grovels in dust and ashes,
Whether he bears a splendid crown or is wrapped in the coarsest of cloaks--
Are of wrath and envy, trouble and dread, terror of death, fury and strife.
Even when he lies on his bed to rest, his cares at night disturb his sleep.
So short is his rest it seems like none, till in his dreams he struggles as he did by day,
Terrified by what his mind's eye sees, like a fugitive being pursued;
as he reaches safety, he wakes up astonished that there was nothing to fear
So it is with all flesh, with man and with beast, but for sinners seven times more.
Plague and bloodshed, wrath and the sword, plunder and ruin, famine and death;
For the wicked, these were created evil, and it is they who bring on destruction.
All that is of earth returns to earth, and what is from above returns above.
All that comes from bribes or injustice will be wiped out, but loyalty remains for ages.
Wealth out of wickedness is like a wadi in spate; like a mighty stream with lightning
and thunder,
Which, in its rising, rolls along stones, but suddenly, once and for all, comes to an end.
The offshoot of violence will not flourish, for the root of the godless is sheer rock;
Or they are like reeds on the riverbank, withered before all other plants;
But goodness will never be cut off, and justice endures forever.
Wealth and wages can make life sweet, but better than either is finding a treasure.
A child or a city will preserve one's name, but better than either, attaining wisdom.
Sheepfolds and orchards bring flourishing health; but better than either a devoted wife.
Wine and music delight the soul, but better than either conjugal love.
The flute and the harp offer sweet melody, but better than either a voice that is true.
Charm and beauty delight the eye, but better than either the flowers of the field.
A friend, a neighbor, are timely guides, but better than either, a prudent wife.
A brother, a helper for times of stress; but better than either, charity that rescues.
Gold and silver make one's way secure, but better than either, sound judgment.
Wealth and vigor build up confidence, but better than either, the fear of God.
Fear of the Lord leaves nothing wanting; he who has it need seek no other support;
The fear of God is a paradise of blessings; its canopy, all that is glorious.
My son, live not the life of a beggar, better to die than to beg;
When one has to look to another's table, his life is not really a life.
His neighbor's delicacies bring revulsion of spirit to one who understands inward feelings:
In the mouth of the shameless man begging is sweet, but within him it burns like fire.
From the day one leaves his mother's womb to the day he returns to the mother of all the living,
His thoughts, the fear in his heart, and his troubled forebodings till the day he dies--
Whether he sits on a lofty throne or grovels in dust and ashes,
Whether he bears a splendid crown or is wrapped in the coarsest of cloaks--
Are of wrath and envy, trouble and dread, terror of death, fury and strife.
Even when he lies on his bed to rest, his cares at night disturb his sleep.
So short is his rest it seems like none, till in his dreams he struggles as he did by day,
Terrified by what his mind's eye sees, like a fugitive being pursued;
as he reaches safety, he wakes up astonished that there was nothing to fear
So it is with all flesh, with man and with beast, but for sinners seven times more.
Plague and bloodshed, wrath and the sword, plunder and ruin, famine and death;
For the wicked, these were created evil, and it is they who bring on destruction.
All that is of earth returns to earth, and what is from above returns above.
All that comes from bribes or injustice will be wiped out, but loyalty remains for ages.
Wealth out of wickedness is like a wadi in spate; like a mighty stream with lightning
and thunder,
Which, in its rising, rolls along stones, but suddenly, once and for all, comes to an end.
The offshoot of violence will not flourish, for the root of the godless is sheer rock;
Or they are like reeds on the riverbank, withered before all other plants;
But goodness will never be cut off, and justice endures forever.
Wealth and wages can make life sweet, but better than either is finding a treasure.
A child or a city will preserve one's name, but better than either, attaining wisdom.
Sheepfolds and orchards bring flourishing health; but better than either a devoted wife.
Wine and music delight the soul, but better than either conjugal love.
The flute and the harp offer sweet melody, but better than either a voice that is true.
Charm and beauty delight the eye, but better than either the flowers of the field.
A friend, a neighbor, are timely guides, but better than either, a prudent wife.
A brother, a helper for times of stress; but better than either, charity that rescues.
Gold and silver make one's way secure, but better than either, sound judgment.
Wealth and vigor build up confidence, but better than either, the fear of God.
Fear of the Lord leaves nothing wanting; he who has it need seek no other support;
The fear of God is a paradise of blessings; its canopy, all that is glorious.
My son, live not the life of a beggar, better to die than to beg;
When one has to look to another's table, his life is not really a life.
His neighbor's delicacies bring revulsion of spirit to one who understands inward feelings:
In the mouth of the shameless man begging is sweet, but within him it burns like fire.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
How is a person's life measured....
( Wisdom 4 explains it, this way)
The premature death of a virtuous man/women
The virtuous man, though he die before his time, will find rest.
Length of days is not what makes age honorable,
nor number of years the true measure of life;
understanding, this is man's grey hairs,
untarnished life, this is ripe old age.
He has sought to please God, so God has loved him;
as he was living among sinners, he has been taken up.
He was carried off so that evil may not warp his understanding
or treachery seduce his soul;
for the fascination of evil throws good things into the shade,
and the whirlwind of desire corrupts a simple heart.
Coming to perfection in so short a while, he achieved long life;
his soul being pleasing to the Lord,
he has taken him quickly from the wickedness around him.
Yet people look on uncomprehending;
it does not enter their heads
that grace and mercy await the chosen of the Lord,
and protection, his holy ones.
The virtuous man dies condemns the godless who survive,
and youth's untimely end the protracted age of the wicked.
These people see a wise man's ending
without understanding what he Lord has in store for him
or why he has taken him to safety;
they look on and sneer,
but the Lord will laugh at them.
Soon they will be corpses without honour,
objects of scorn among the dead forever.
The Lord will dash them down headlong, dumb.
He will tear them from their foundations,
they will be utterly laid waste,
anguish will be theirs,
and their memory shall perish.
Now, do you understand what that means.... Everything you say, do, don't say, don't do, is reflected in your character...We are made in the image of God, to imitate him in thoughts and actions. It's not about me, me, me... we're all different people, different likenesses in a world that has evolve for many years. Coming and going, born and die, child and adult, men and women, etc... No one is destined for hell, no matter how bad, or whatever skeletons, secrets,
devises we might have or be imprisoned by. God gives us every opportunity to seek him and his forgiveness. Only the self centered, arrogant, mindless people will seal their fate. But it is also written that up into the eleventh hour, the last breath, we can be forgiven and change. So with that what is your excuse? Do you really believe we were put here, so many countries, so many different people to live amongst each other to just evolve and revolve with no purpose or being. Do you or should I say, really believe or coherced to believe there is nothing after this life? Don't play the fool, God wants you in heaven and the Devil will do everything to prevent that. Your soul is no for sale, it is not yours to sell....The day will come when the crap will hit the fan, look around you, the news, weather, people's attitude, thinking, selfishness, all trying to play their own God and destiny. God help them, or maybe it's our ob, duty to pray for them, your neighbors, family, friends, your enemies! I wouldn't want to be them, right or wrong, playing with fire you will get burned, do even think you can imagine Hell, it's everything you don't want it to be. If I wrong, we die into oblivion, go will Aliens maybe MARS, Venus, go to a place were once you get there you come back and tell anyone what hate truth is....But I assure you there is a Heaven and a Hell, God and the Devil, it's just people call them by different names and color their own pictures. I know where I'm going, do you ?! You don't have to be a Saint to go to heaven, but don't fool yourself if the life your living is questionable your going to have a hell of an experience!
The premature death of a virtuous man/women
The virtuous man, though he die before his time, will find rest.
Length of days is not what makes age honorable,
nor number of years the true measure of life;
understanding, this is man's grey hairs,
untarnished life, this is ripe old age.
He has sought to please God, so God has loved him;
as he was living among sinners, he has been taken up.
He was carried off so that evil may not warp his understanding
or treachery seduce his soul;
for the fascination of evil throws good things into the shade,
and the whirlwind of desire corrupts a simple heart.
Coming to perfection in so short a while, he achieved long life;
his soul being pleasing to the Lord,
he has taken him quickly from the wickedness around him.
Yet people look on uncomprehending;
it does not enter their heads
that grace and mercy await the chosen of the Lord,
and protection, his holy ones.
The virtuous man dies condemns the godless who survive,
and youth's untimely end the protracted age of the wicked.
These people see a wise man's ending
without understanding what he Lord has in store for him
or why he has taken him to safety;
they look on and sneer,
but the Lord will laugh at them.
Soon they will be corpses without honour,
objects of scorn among the dead forever.
The Lord will dash them down headlong, dumb.
He will tear them from their foundations,
they will be utterly laid waste,
anguish will be theirs,
and their memory shall perish.
Now, do you understand what that means.... Everything you say, do, don't say, don't do, is reflected in your character...We are made in the image of God, to imitate him in thoughts and actions. It's not about me, me, me... we're all different people, different likenesses in a world that has evolve for many years. Coming and going, born and die, child and adult, men and women, etc... No one is destined for hell, no matter how bad, or whatever skeletons, secrets,
devises we might have or be imprisoned by. God gives us every opportunity to seek him and his forgiveness. Only the self centered, arrogant, mindless people will seal their fate. But it is also written that up into the eleventh hour, the last breath, we can be forgiven and change. So with that what is your excuse? Do you really believe we were put here, so many countries, so many different people to live amongst each other to just evolve and revolve with no purpose or being. Do you or should I say, really believe or coherced to believe there is nothing after this life? Don't play the fool, God wants you in heaven and the Devil will do everything to prevent that. Your soul is no for sale, it is not yours to sell....The day will come when the crap will hit the fan, look around you, the news, weather, people's attitude, thinking, selfishness, all trying to play their own God and destiny. God help them, or maybe it's our ob, duty to pray for them, your neighbors, family, friends, your enemies! I wouldn't want to be them, right or wrong, playing with fire you will get burned, do even think you can imagine Hell, it's everything you don't want it to be. If I wrong, we die into oblivion, go will Aliens maybe MARS, Venus, go to a place were once you get there you come back and tell anyone what hate truth is....But I assure you there is a Heaven and a Hell, God and the Devil, it's just people call them by different names and color their own pictures. I know where I'm going, do you ?! You don't have to be a Saint to go to heaven, but don't fool yourself if the life your living is questionable your going to have a hell of an experience!
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