PRAYING HANDS

There are hands that help and comfort,
Hands that plan and teach,
Hands that rest and hands that strive
For a goal just out of reach,
Hands that grasp and hands that give,
Hands that work and play,
Friendly hands and loving hands
That soothes life's cares away.
But praying hands are dearest
In the sight of God above
For in their sweet and earnest clasp
Are reverence and love.
No hands can do an unkind act
Nor cause another care
Nor sin against Our Father's love
When they are clasped in prayer.
Author Unknown

If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?
Romans 8:31-32

None of us has the power to make someone else love us. But we all have the power to give away love, to love other people. And if we do so, we change the kind of person we are, and we change the kind of world we live in.
Rabbi Harold Kushner

Lord, I know that you hear me when I pray. Help me to be aware of those floundering around me. Direct me to You and to the concern for others. Grant that I may be a carrier of cheerfulness, sensitive to the suffering of others by seeing beauty of human hearts as You do. Guide me to find the right words of praise and encouragement. Let me uplift the spirits of the lives I touch. Show me the way to be a helping hand to another as You are to me. Let me walk with You in Faith and share Your love with others. Guide my thoughts, and guard my words, that only good, will escape my lips. Amen

A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, who we'll call Brother Smith. She says Brother Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into seminary and knew they were in for another fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Brother Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry . . . and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's girlfriend (on her right), drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend (on her left), drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of Brother Smith, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on his face. Sally was pleased at the overall effect she had achieved. The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Brother Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.

As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Brother Smith began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus . . . A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced out.

Brother Smith said only these words, "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." No other words were necessary; the tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ. The students remained in their seats . . . even after the bell rang . . . then slowly left the classroom, tears streaming down their faces.
Author Unknown

"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."
Matthew 25:40

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 1:4

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
Mother Teresa

Dear Lord, remind me not to be concerned about who does your work, but rather that your work gets done. Show me what is most important and take me where I am needed most. Amen

On the night of December 9, 1914, Edison Industries was destroyed by fire. The loss exceeded by $2 million, along with the vast majority of Thomas Alva Edison's work. Edison was insured for only $238 because the buildings were constructed of concrete, which at that time, was thought to make a building fireproof. At sixty-seven years of age, Edison watched his life's work go up in flames.

The next morning, after firefighters had finally brought the inferno under control, Edison surveyed his charred dreams and crushed hopes. As he surveyed the scene, he said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew."

Three weeks after the fire, Edison Industries produced the first phonograph.

In every setback one can find the seeds of a future success. Plant those seeds with vision, fertilize them with hope and hard work, and continue to water them with enthusiasm.
Author Unknown

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put childish ways behind me.
I Corinthians 13:11

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am God, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4

Heavenly Father, grant me the faith to place myself completely in Your hands. Help me to grow and to find you when I seek you - to see You in all of life. May I never know a moment without Your presence. Amen

Foreigners who wish to explore the wilderness areas of South America alone must be well prepared to face a number of challenges. Those venturing into the Amazon jungles or Andes Mountains without a guide or adequate preparation will quickly find their lives in peril.

In A Slow and Certain Light, missionary Elisabeth Elliot tells of two adventurers who stopped by to see her at her mission station. Loaded heavily with equipment for the rain forest, they sought no advice. They merely asked her to teach them a few phrases of the language so they might converse a bit with the Indians.

Amazed at their temerity, she saw a parallel between these travelers and Christians. She writes: "Sometimes we come to God as the two adventurers came to me - confident and, we think, well-informed and well-equipped. But has it occurred to us that with all our accumulation of stuff, something is missing?"

She suggests that, in our own arrogance, we often ask God for far too little. "We know what we need - a yes or no answer, please, to a simple question. Or perhaps a road sign. Something quick and easy to point the way. What we really ought to have is the Guide Himself. Maps, road signs, a few useful phrases are good things, but infinitely better is Someone who has been there before and knows the way."

In the midst of your busy and stressful day, you may face unexpected situations. Trust God to be our Guide and pray, "Lord, I know this didn't take you by surprise! You knew it was coming and have already made a way for me. I thank You now that You are taking me where I need to go and giving me everything I need to get over the rough spots along the way."
Author Unknown

For you created my inmost being: you knit me together in my mother's womb.
Psalm 139:9

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
Psalm 139:16-18

The One who made the world, created life, and prepared eternity holds us as a Shepherd, carries his lambs. In his power, in his love, we are secure.
Psalm 28:8-9

Heavenly Father, remind me each day that you are at work within me and around me. Open my eyes to see your divine touch in all things. When I am frightened, give me strength, help me to do all things for you. Please show me the way. Amen.

Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house…let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.
Mother Teresa

Our Father, on this day that reminds us especially of your ever present love, turn my eyes upon Jesus so I may tell this story of love so others might hear and experience Holy Communion with you. I know that Jesus looked into the eyes of every person, no matter what the infirmity, whether physical, or emotional and said, "Your sins are forgiven. The Light of God is in you." Go with me Lord and guide me through each path along life's way. Thank you, for Your love and care. Amen

There are many who want me to tell them of secret ways of becoming perfect and I can only tell them that the sole secret is a hearty love of God, and the only way of attaining that love is by loving. You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so you learn to love God and man by loving. Begin as a mere apprentice and the very own of love will lead you on to become a master of the art.
St. Francis De Sales

"Because he loves me," says the Lord. "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name."
Psalm 91:14

Whoever loves his brother, lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.
I John 2:10

One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick. Suddenly, my son Matthew spoke up from his relaxed position in the front seat.
"Mom, I'm thinking of something."

This announcement usually meant he had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that his seven-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear...

"What are you thinking?" I asked.

"The rain;" he began, "is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away."

After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond.

"That's really good, Matthew."

Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little boy take this revelation?

So I asked... "Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?"

Matthew didn't hesitate one moment with his answer:

"We keep on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."

I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.
Author Unknown

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17

As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
1 John 2:1

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more," say the Lord.
Isaiah 43:25

Heavenly Father, your love is the sunrise that makes all days new. Your love lights my soul and shines like a beacon on my faith. In the hush and peace or hustle and bustle of my day, I seek nothing more than to bask in the joy of your presence. Thank you for the peace and assurance of your word. This is a day that you have made, I rejoice in it. In your creative hand of love, help me to see love in all. Show me how to find the rainbow in everything that comes my way. Help me to stand sheltered beneath your banner in the sunshine or storms of my life, assured by Your word that I am never alone. Allow me to be a colorful rainbow in someone's life today and may my colors always be brilliant and bright reflecting your love to those around me. Amen

Today I will delete from my diary
two days: yesterday and tomorrow
Yesterday was to learn
and tomorrow will be the consequence
of what I can do today.

Today I will face life
with the conviction that this day
will not ever return.

Today is the last opportunity
I have to live intensely,
as no one can assure me
that I will see tomorrow's sunrise.

Today I will be brave enough
not to let any opportunity pass me by,
my only alternative is to succeed.

Today I will invest
my most valuable resource: my time,
in the most transcendental work:
my life;

I will spend each minute
passionately to make
of today a different
and unique day in my life.

Today I will defy every obstacle
that appears on my way trusting
I will succeed.

Today I will resist
pessimism and will conquer
the world with a smile,
with the positive attitude
of expecting always the best.

Today I will make of every ordinary task
a sublime expression,

Today I will have my feet on the ground
understanding reality
and the stars' gaze
to invent my future.

Today I will take the time to be happy
and will leave my footprints and my presence
in the hearts of others.

Today, I invite you to begin a new season
where we can dream
that everything we undertake is possible
and we fulfill it,
with joy and dignity.

Author Unknown

Lord, I know this didn't take you by surprise! You knew it was coming and have already made a way for me. I thank You now that You are taking me where I need to go and giving me everything I need to get over the rough spots along the way.
Amen

A sign in a hotel lobby that was being remodeled stated, "Please be patient. Renovation in progress to produce something new and wonderful." Perhaps we all need to wear a sign like that. We are all unfinished projects under construction, being made into something wonderful. Being mindful of this, we might have greater grace and patience for others, as well as for ourselves, while the work is underway.

Hope is the anticipation of good. Like the hotel lobby in the disarray of renovation, our hope is often in spite of our present circumstances. What is the basis for our hopes?

For the Christian, hope is not simple optimism or a denial of reality. The reason for our hope is Jesus Christ, the solid rock of our faith. As the hymn writer wrote, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." We are never without hope for our lives if we know the Lord Jesus.

The focus of our hope is to be like Jesus. That goal may seem too great and way beyond our ability to achieve, and it is. How do we reach that goal?

The Scriptures tell us it is "Christ in you" that is our hope. [Colossians 1:27] The transformation of our lives into Christlikeness is a goal that is larger than life. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, to have hope only for this life is to be miserable. [Corinthians 15:19] The Christian hope is for this life and for eternity.

A little chapel in the hills of the Scottish Highlands has a sign chiseled in Gaelic on the front door. Translated into English it says: "Come as you are, but don't leave as you came." When we come to Jesus we can come as we are. But He will not leave us the same. That is our sure hope.
Author Unknown

Gracious God, In this season of Lent touch me with your quiet voice of calm and grace. Live in me and energize me that I may not only touch life, but be touched by it. You know the secret plan for the world using me and my hands, help me to listen and obey. Give me the faith to tackle the impossible, to right the wrong, to calm the seas. Help me to show that love is patient and kind, not jealous or proud, and keeps no records of wrongs. Renew my spirit, so I will never give up with faith, hope or patience. May others see through me, that love is the only way. Reshape my life in ways that reflect the life of Christ. Amen

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

You go no where by accident.
Wherever you go, God is sending you.
Wherever you are, God has put you there.
He has a purpose in your being there.
Christ who dwells in you has something
He wants to do through you where you are.
Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.
Richard C. Halverson, Chaplain of the United States Senate

O God, help me to touch someone today with my eyes, my words,
my smile, my voice, my laughter, Your word.
Change my life, so I can make a difference.
Let my actions bring someone closer to you.
Help me to make Christmas last all year.
Help me to use my gifts for Jesus

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