Joseph Antony Macellaro | Weblog | January 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbc_aGEjfEk

More things are wrought by prayer

Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice

Rise like a fountain for me night and day.

For what are men better than sheep or goats

That nourish a blind life within the brain,

If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer

Both for themselves and those who call them friends,

For so the whole round earth is every way

Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.

ALFRED LORD TENNYSON

I know not what I shall become: it seems to me that the peace of soul and repose of spirit descend on me, even in sleep. To be without the sense of this peace, would be affliction indeed.... I know not what God purposes with me, or keeps for me; I am in a calm so great that I fear naught. What can I fear, when I am with Him: and with Him, in His Presence, I hold myself the most I can. May all things praise Him. Amen.

BROTHER LAWRENCE

Check out my totally rad photo.

Lord Jesus Christ, today I want to live my life as an expression of your love rather than as an effort to earn or deserve your love. Like Paul, I have tried about everything to prove my worth. Nothing satisfies. I am weary of doing the right thing because of guilt and not grace. Thank you for the limitless power of your love which sets me free from a guilted cage to fly and soar to new heights of joyous praise today. Amen.

LLOYD JOHN OGILVIE, 1974

Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, 1995-2003

Put a banana in your ear!

Put a ripe banana right into your favorite ear;

It's true, so true,

Once it's in, your gloom will disappear;

The bad in the world is hard to hear

When in your ear a banana cheers;

So go and put a banana in your ear!

JASON STEELE

If you see a friend — or anyone for that matter — standing in the path of a speeding truck, wouldn't you do everything in your power to save him?

You are my friend, and that truck is death.

You aren't invincible. In the light of age, disease, and disaster, each of us is small and insignificant on our own. Why risk death when life is offered to you with no strings attached? You have so much to gain and nothing to lose. You don't need religion, and you don't need church or rituals or prayer books. Those things are nice, but they won't save you. What you need is to simply believe. Pride is beneficial to a degree, but pride won't keep you alive forever. As much as you say you're strong and self-reliant, will you still feel that way when you're on your deathbed after living a faithless, self-centered life? There are a ton of salesmen out there peddling their own forms of salvation, but at its fundamental core, Christianity makes sense to me and so many other intelligent people. What if heaven and hell are real? Wouldn't life be sweeter knowing you've got all your bases covered?

I see that truck in the distance, and I love you. That's why I pass the word along....

I boast not of works nor tell of good deeds

For nought have I done to merit His grace

All glory and praise shall rest upon Him

So willing to die in my place

I will glory in the cross, in the cross

Lest His suffering all be in vain

I will weep no more for the cross that He bore

But I will glory in the cross

My trophies and crown and my robe stained with sin

'Twas all that I had to lay at His feet

Unworthy to eat from the table of life

Until His love made provision for me

I will glory in the cross, in the cross

Lest His suffering all be in vain

I will weep no more for the cross that He bore

But I will glory in the cross.

DOTTIE RAMBO

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

ROMANS 12:14-21

Dear Child,

Lately I have noticed that the noise and pressures of the world, and the demands of your commitments have left you exhausted and discouraged. I just want you to know that in it all I am with you ... draw from Me. Let Me give you peace deep down, where the world can never touch it. Make My words a part of you, and they will make you strong. Whisper them to the morning, repeat them when the sun is low. Draw from them in the heat of the day. Here are my words:

I have something very special for you ... a gift ... it is peace of mind -- and heart -- and this peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So, don't let your heart be troubled, and don't let it be afraid. Just remember that all I am and have is yours, if you'll just learn to trust Me.

With All My Love,

Father

GLORIA GAITHER

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"

I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride

I'm confessing that I stumble -- needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong

I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success

I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all

I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect

My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain

I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge

I have no authority -- I only know I'm loved.

CAROL WIMMER

Go to http://www.newsday.com/video/ and click on "Town Demolishes Burger King in Rocky Point" if it doesn't come up automatically. I don't know why everyone seems so happy.... I loved that Burger King! LOL.

Somewhere in the world today

A little girl will go out to play

All dressed up in Mama's clothes

At least the way that I suppose it goes

Somewhere in the world tonight

Before she reaches to turn out the light

She'll be praying from a tender heart

A simple prayer that's a work of art

And I don't even know her name

But I'm praying for her just the same

That the Lord will write his name upon her heart

'Cause somewhere in the course of this life

A little boy will need a godly wife

So hold onto Jesus, baby, wherever you are.

WAYNE WATSON

Desperado

Why don't you come to your senses?

You've been out riding fences for so long now

Oh, you're a hard one

But I know that you've got your reasons

These things that are pleasing you can hurt you somehow

Don't you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy

She'll beat you if she's able

You know the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet

Now it seems to me some fine things

Have been laid upon your table

But you only want the ones that you can't get

Desperado

Oh, you ain't getting no younger

Your pain and your hunger are driving you home

Freedom, oh, freedom

That's just some people talking

You're a prisoner walking through this world all alone

Don't your feet get cold in the wintertime?

The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine

It's hard to tell the nighttime from the day

You're losing all your highs and lows

Ain't it funny how the feeling goes

Away?

Desperado

Why don't you come to your senses?

Come down from your fences and open the gate

It may be raining

But there's a rainbow above you

You better let somebody love you before it's too late.

GLENN FREY & DON HENLEY

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.... And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you....

JOEL 2:25A; 26A

Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17