Prayer-something to think about

The power of prayer never ceases to amaze me. Some people, well, they just never understand or even care to pray until something negative happens in their lives. Once something bad or negative occurs, that's when they pray and then wonder why nothing happens or the feel as though they haven't been heard and then get upset with the Divine. For those of you reading this, who fits that description, well, you have alot to learn.

PRAY THIS EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT!! IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE.

I started not to do this, but as I read it.... I understood God to say, 'You need a miracle.' You never know

when God is going to bless you!! Good things happen when you least expect them to but then again, if you believe, then anything can happen. God can move mountains....

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day, I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God...

You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.... I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank You that I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member and their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes; that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it. Amen!

God Bless and Blessed Be! (Know that you are already blessed by the person who sent this to you).

Mary and Joseph Billboard spikes controversy in Auckland, New Zealand.

FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE


A dejected-looking Joseph lies in bed next to Mary under the caption, "Poor Joseph. God was a hard act to follow". St Matthew-in-the-City Church in Auckland, which erected the billboard, said it had intended to provoke debate. But the Catholic Church, among others, has condemned it as "inappropriate" and "disrespectful".
Within hours of its unveiling, the billboard had been defaced with brown paint.

The church's vicar, Archdeacon Glynn Cardy, said the aim of the billboard had been to lampoon the literal interpretation of the Christmas conception story. "What we're trying to do is to get people to think more about what Christmas is all about," he told the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA). "Is it about a spiritual male God sending down sperm so a child would be born, or is it about the power of love in our midst as seen in Jesus?"

To read the article in full, please visit the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8417963.stm

The 12 days of Christmas-a little history lesson.

I'm sure that many of you have heard the Christmas carroll, The Twelve Days of Christmas. If you are anything like me, you may have found this song to be....well....weird, to say the least. After all, what in the world or who came up with the lyrics because they sure didn't make sense or mean a thing to me. I found it to be quite confusing, almost like someone was on an acid trip or something. Do you know the history of the song? Well, I have found the answers to the quest that I was on and did some research about the song.
All in all, this song now takes on a new meaning to me. The lyrics are a secret code and now I will share the mystery of the lyrics with you. I hope you enjoy this brief lesson.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning, plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.-

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

I found this quite interesting and very enlightening and now I can understand how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish. Brightest Blessings!

Virgin Mary Billboard sign in Auckland, New Zealand

A controversial new billboard shows the Virgin Mary holding a pregnancy test with a "positive" reading. The billboard, called "Mary is in the pink," was purchased by the St. Matthews-in-the-City Church in Auckland, New Zealand. The church says the billboard featuring the revered religious figure aimed to "avoid the sentimental [and] trite" and "spark thought and conversation." It bears no text.

To read more about this article or to discuss how you feel about it, please visit the link and read the full story: 
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/billboard-depicts-virgin-mary-holding-pregnancy-test-150612060.html

Dream Special and Online Store specials

Check out my website: http://www.skycladdreams.com/ for a great dream special going on - regularly $18.00 now only $8.00. Gift certificates are available and make a unique gift. Hurry, this special will expire soon.

Be sure to check out my online store. A variety of items from games, figurines, candles to Christmas items and Fall/Halloween clearance items. Feel free to check it out. You may be surprised with what you find. Brightest Blessings to all for a wonderful and safe Holiday season.