Inches into Miles

An excerpt from The Best Way Out is Always Through (Link leads to meditative movie) by BJ Gallgher

Our journey of life is about progress, not perfection. It's not about doing one thing 100% better - it's a matter of doing 100 things, 1% better each day. Progress is evolutionary not revolutionary, and most days we measure our progress in inches, not miles. What matters most is showing up for your life whether you feel like it or not. Ask yourself, "What two or three little things can I do today that would move me forward?" You'll be amazed at how much distance you can cover by taking it in increments. The little things add up; the inches turn to miles; and we string together our efforts like so many pearls. Before long, look what you have - a whole strand! Ah... beautiful.

One Solitary Life

An excerpt from One Solitary Life by James A. Francis

He was born in an obscure village the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in still another village where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never owned a house. He never went to college. He never visited a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He did none of the things one usually associates with greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for His clothing, the only property He had on earth. When He was dead He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today Jesus is the central figure of the human race, the leader of mankind's progress. All the armies that have ever marched All the navies that have ever sailed All the parliaments that have ever sat All the kings that have ever reigned put together Have not affected the life of mankind on this earth as much as that one solitary life.

Your Cross

A young man was at the end of his road , seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.
"Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."
The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room.
Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief and said, "Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told.
Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses; some so large the 
tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a 
far wall.


"I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. The Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."


When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see 
what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more 
fortunate than you imagined.

YOUR CROSS
Whatever your cross
Whatever your pain
There will always be sunshine
After the rain
Perhaps you may stumble
Perhaps even fall
But God's always there
To help you through it all 

BEATITUDES: Blessings for our Time

BEATITUDES: Blessings for our Time

The readings for the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (January 30) build appropriately on the themes of FAN's "Creativity for Creation". In living from life to gospel the gospel shows us successful results- blessings.

We are invited also to participate in a webcast on January 26. On January 25, we celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul, who invites us along with the Corinthians to "[c]onsider your own calling, brothers and sisters" (1 Cor 1:26). The webcast provides this opportunity.

Zephaniah admonishes us to "seek justice, seek humility" (Zep 2:3). The Beatitudes in Matthew's Gospel (5:1-12) expand on this oracle's path to favor with God and offer a fitting meditation in preparation for and reflection on the webcast.

FAN is a movement which lends itself to the Franciscan Mission- The Christian Mission - to Love one another as first, Christ Loves us.

We are blessed to be poor in spirit, when we embrace the richness of Franciscan poverty and simplicity;

We are blessed to mourn, for the damage caused by our choices as we turn to Franciscan penance and return to Christ;

We are blessed to be meek, that we might be fitting heirs of the land and the kingdom;

We are blessed to hunger and thirst for righteousness, in our pursuit of right relationship and open dialog leading to mutual respect and love;

We blessed to be merciful, when we encounter each other and all creatures;

We are blessed to be clean of heart, with pure intentions towards all of Sister Earth's goods;

We are blessed to be peacemakers, who heal the restlessness that drives greed and excess;

We are blessed to be and do all these things in the face of rejection and opposition, that the kingdom of heaven might be our reward.

Jesus, help my eyes to see

Jesus, help my eyes to see

All the good Thou sendest me.

Jesus, help my ears to hear

Calls for help from far and near.

Jesus, help my feet to go

In the way that Thou wilt show.

Jesus, help my hands to do

All things loving, kind, and true.

Jesus, may I helpful be,

Growing every day like Thee. Amen.

~~~~~~

Jesus, help my eyes to see

God has given us the great gift of ourselves and as all good gifts, meant to be shared.

Retreat to Nature Beckons

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

It is not a very pretty day outside

from the picture out the window

Yet creation goes beyond the frame

A line of sight pretends to form.

My Faith, my knowledge, hopes and dreams show that within my grasp

All creation sings out praise

In silence as in thunder blast.

If for nothing else I give praise

For the creators mighty hand

Enter a time to spend with God.

He is near; draw near to Him.

The amazing beauty of nature provides many moments and small pleasures to treasure. Take a few minutes away from the daily fast pace to enjoy the award winning photography, music and beautiful words in the 4 minute movie, Nature's Inspiration. It will be a welcome break!




Click this link for a 4 minute natural retreat:

A blessing for today

May the blessing of the God of peace and justice be with us;

May the blessing of the Son

who weeps the tears of the world's suffering be with us;

And may the blessing of the Spirit

who inspires us to reconciliation and hope be with us

from now into eternity.

Amen.

[Blessing for Order of Ecumenical Worship Service for Christian Unity]