This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot;then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it"
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Pass this on right now. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.
"Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once."
with lots of love and prayers...
Thursday, 20 September 2007
Friday, 7 September 2007
the joy of helping others..
..the mob had already began with their day-to-day activities, while I was coming back from the gym. A nun, I think she was from the congregation near to my block, was carrying bags full of stationery and other slowly walking along the side of the service road, I was only a few blocks away from my home. I was about to pass by her, for a moment, I slowed to her pace and asked ".. may I help you with those.. " she was a bit taken aback I didnt understand why, but then I offered again, thinking she being old, might not have heard what I said. ".. am going the same cross lane, I may carry it for you till the road takes divertion, I live in # 747.. ", But this time she was composed and replied, very calmly "no, thankyou dear.. it is alright, not heavy. God bless you for your kindness.. ".
..the mob had already began their day-to-day activities, while I was coming back from the gym.
A nun carrying bags full of stationery and other was slowly walking by along the side of the service road, I was only a few blocks away from my home. I was about to pass by her, for a moment, I slowed to her pace and asked ".. may I help you with those.. " she was a bit taken aback I didnt understand why, but then I offered again, thinking that she being old might not have heard what I said. ".. am going the same cross lane, I may carry it for you till the road takes divertion, I live in # 747.. ", But this time she was composed and replied, very calmly "no, thankyou dear.. it is alright, not heavy. God bless you for your kindness.. ".
the joy of helping others..
..the mob had already began with their day-to-day activities, while I was coming back from the gym. A nun, I think she was from the congregation near to my block, was carrying bags full of stationery and other slowly walking along the side of the service road, I was only a few blocks away from my home. I was about to pass by her, for a moment, I slowed to her pace and asked "... May I help you with those...? “She was a bit taken aback I didn’t understand why, but then I offered again, thinking she being old, might not have heard what I said.”... Am going the same cross lane, I may carry it for you till the road takes diversion, and I live in # 747... ", But this time she was composed and replied, very calmly "no, thank you dear... it is alright, not heavy. God bless you for your kindness... ". The joy I had I cant explain, it is so much warm and full than you can possibly fathom, if you have not come across such a feeling in your life before.
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Saint of the Day (September 6, 2007) - Blessed Claudio Granzotto
(1900-1947)
Born in Santa Lucia del Piave near Venice, Claudio was the youngest of nine children and was accustomed to hard work in the fields. At the age of nine he lost his father. Six years later he was drafted into the Italian army, where he served more than three years.
His artistic abilities, especially in sculpture, led to studies at Venice's Academy of Fine Arts, which awarded him a diploma with the highest marks in 1929. Even then he was especially interested in religious art. When Claudio entered the Friars Minor four years later, his parish priest wrote, "The Order is receiving not only an artist but a saint." Prayer, charity to the poor and artistic work characterized his life, which was cut short by a brain tumor. He died on the feast of the Assumption and was beatified in 1994.
Comment:
Claudio developed into such an excellent sculptor that his work still turns people toward God. No stranger to adversity, he met every obstacle courageously, reflecting the generosity, faith and joy that he learned from Francis of Assisi.
Quote:
In the beatification homily, Pope John Paul II said that Claudio made his sculpture "the privileged instrument" of his apostolate and evangelization. "His holiness was especially radiant in his acceptance of suffering and death in union with Christ's Cross. Thus by consecrating himself totally to the Lord's love, he became a model for religious, for artists in their search for God's beauty and for the sick in his loving devotion to the Crucified" (L' Osservatore Romano, Vol. 47, No. 1, 1994).
(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)
*the above mentioned are added to this post from the mails recieved from - "AmericanCatholic. org" goodnews@americancatholic.org
____________________________
A good friend of mine, shreedhar (http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=4285683754807292048), used to pen me daily with the word of god for that day, at times from the reading of that day or otherwise. And what I used to like so much is the prayer and thought that he is used to add. With his permission I have added it below, so will do everyday possible.
Today's Scripture
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:36)
Today's WordWe all face challenges, difficulties, and times when things don't go as planned. Have you ever noticed that it's in times of difficulty that we grow and develop? Those times are opportunities to allow God's Word to come alive in your life and see you through to victory. God will use your challenges to stretch you, and enlarge your vision.We encourage you to be faithful during your adversity. Make up your mind to serve God no matter what comes against you, and God will honor you. Hold your head up high knowing that no matter what the situation looks like today, God will reward your faithfulness. Fight the good fight of faith. You are being prepared for promotion. And if you'll simply remain faithful and fight through life, then in due season, God will promote you to new levels of victory and you'll live that abundant life that He has promised you!
A Prayer for Today
God, I can face the challenges in my life with my head held high, knowing You have confidence in me. Open my eyes to the good that will come from it. In Jesus' Name - Amen.
Thankyou, God bless...
(1900-1947)
Born in Santa Lucia del Piave near Venice, Claudio was the youngest of nine children and was accustomed to hard work in the fields. At the age of nine he lost his father. Six years later he was drafted into the Italian army, where he served more than three years.
His artistic abilities, especially in sculpture, led to studies at Venice's Academy of Fine Arts, which awarded him a diploma with the highest marks in 1929. Even then he was especially interested in religious art. When Claudio entered the Friars Minor four years later, his parish priest wrote, "The Order is receiving not only an artist but a saint." Prayer, charity to the poor and artistic work characterized his life, which was cut short by a brain tumor. He died on the feast of the Assumption and was beatified in 1994.
Comment:
Claudio developed into such an excellent sculptor that his work still turns people toward God. No stranger to adversity, he met every obstacle courageously, reflecting the generosity, faith and joy that he learned from Francis of Assisi.
Quote:
In the beatification homily, Pope John Paul II said that Claudio made his sculpture "the privileged instrument" of his apostolate and evangelization. "His holiness was especially radiant in his acceptance of suffering and death in union with Christ's Cross. Thus by consecrating himself totally to the Lord's love, he became a model for religious, for artists in their search for God's beauty and for the sick in his loving devotion to the Crucified" (L' Osservatore Romano, Vol. 47, No. 1, 1994).
(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)
*the above mentioned are added to this post from the mails recieved from - "AmericanCatholic. org" goodnews@americancatholic.org
____________________________
A good friend of mine, shreedhar (http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=4285683754807292048), used to pen me daily with the word of god for that day, at times from the reading of that day or otherwise. And what I used to like so much is the prayer and thought that he is used to add. With his permission I have added it below, so will do everyday possible.
Today's Scripture
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:36)
Today's WordWe all face challenges, difficulties, and times when things don't go as planned. Have you ever noticed that it's in times of difficulty that we grow and develop? Those times are opportunities to allow God's Word to come alive in your life and see you through to victory. God will use your challenges to stretch you, and enlarge your vision.We encourage you to be faithful during your adversity. Make up your mind to serve God no matter what comes against you, and God will honor you. Hold your head up high knowing that no matter what the situation looks like today, God will reward your faithfulness. Fight the good fight of faith. You are being prepared for promotion. And if you'll simply remain faithful and fight through life, then in due season, God will promote you to new levels of victory and you'll live that abundant life that He has promised you!
A Prayer for Today
God, I can face the challenges in my life with my head held high, knowing You have confidence in me. Open my eyes to the good that will come from it. In Jesus' Name - Amen.
Thankyou, God bless...
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Saint of the Day (September 4, 2007) - St. Rose of Viterbo*
(1233-1251)
Rose achieved sainthood in only 18 years of life. Even as a child Rose had a great desire to pray and to aid the poor. While still very young, she began a life of penance in her parents’ house. She was as generous to the poor as she was strict with herself. At the age of 10 she became a Secular Franciscan and soon began preaching in the streets about sin and the sufferings of Jesus.
Viterbo, her native city, was then in revolt against the pope. When Rose took the pope's side against the emperor, she and her family were exiled from the city. When the pope's side won in Viterbo, Rose was allowed to return. Her attempt at age 15 to found a religious community failed, and she returned to a life of prayer and penance in her father's home, where she died in 1251. Rose was canonized in 1457.
Comment:
The list of Franciscan saints seems to have quite a few men and women who accomplished nothing very extraordinary. Rose is one of them. She did not influence popes and kings, did not multiply bread for the hungry and never established the religious order of her dreams. But she made a place in her life for God's grace, and like St. Francis before her, saw death as the gateway to new life.
Quote:
Rose's dying words to her parents were: "I die with joy, for I desire to be united to my God. Live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening, but sweet and precious."
(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)
*the above mentioned are added to this post from the mails recieved from - "AmericanCatholic. org" goodnews@americancatholic.org
____________________________
A good friend of mine, shreedhar (http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=4285683754807292048), used to pen me daily with the word of god for that day, at times from the reading of that day or otherwise. And what I used to like so much is the prayer and thought that he is used to add. With his permission I have added it below, so will do everyday possible.
Today's Scripture
"Cast your burdens on the Lord, releasing the weight of them and He will sustain you." (Psalm 55:22)
Today's WordJesus said in John 14:27, "I'm leaving you My peace. I'm giving it unto you." The Amplified version says, "Now stop allowing yourself to be agitated and disturbed. And do not permit yourselves to become unsettled." God has done His part to give you His peace. As a child of God, His peace is on the inside of you right now. You've got to do your part and make the decision to live in peace.When negative circumstances arise, and you make the choice to stay calm and live in peace, you are showing that you have faith and trust in God. You are saying, "God, I know that You are in control, I know that You're going to see me through. I know that no weapon formed against me is going to prosper." Today, choose to keep peace in your life. When you cast your burdens on Him, He promises to sustain you-that's a place of true peace, a place of lasting power!
A Prayer for Today
God, what an amazing discovery to find that Your perfect peace is within me! I trust You and will tap into that peace when life tries to steal it away. Thank you for giving me power over negative attitudes! In Jesus' Name - Amen.
Thank you , God bless...
(1233-1251)
Rose achieved sainthood in only 18 years of life. Even as a child Rose had a great desire to pray and to aid the poor. While still very young, she began a life of penance in her parents’ house. She was as generous to the poor as she was strict with herself. At the age of 10 she became a Secular Franciscan and soon began preaching in the streets about sin and the sufferings of Jesus.
Viterbo, her native city, was then in revolt against the pope. When Rose took the pope's side against the emperor, she and her family were exiled from the city. When the pope's side won in Viterbo, Rose was allowed to return. Her attempt at age 15 to found a religious community failed, and she returned to a life of prayer and penance in her father's home, where she died in 1251. Rose was canonized in 1457.
Comment:
The list of Franciscan saints seems to have quite a few men and women who accomplished nothing very extraordinary. Rose is one of them. She did not influence popes and kings, did not multiply bread for the hungry and never established the religious order of her dreams. But she made a place in her life for God's grace, and like St. Francis before her, saw death as the gateway to new life.
Quote:
Rose's dying words to her parents were: "I die with joy, for I desire to be united to my God. Live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening, but sweet and precious."
(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)
*the above mentioned are added to this post from the mails recieved from - "AmericanCatholic. org" goodnews@americancatholic.org
____________________________
A good friend of mine, shreedhar (http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=4285683754807292048), used to pen me daily with the word of god for that day, at times from the reading of that day or otherwise. And what I used to like so much is the prayer and thought that he is used to add. With his permission I have added it below, so will do everyday possible.
Today's Scripture
"Cast your burdens on the Lord, releasing the weight of them and He will sustain you." (Psalm 55:22)
Today's WordJesus said in John 14:27, "I'm leaving you My peace. I'm giving it unto you." The Amplified version says, "Now stop allowing yourself to be agitated and disturbed. And do not permit yourselves to become unsettled." God has done His part to give you His peace. As a child of God, His peace is on the inside of you right now. You've got to do your part and make the decision to live in peace.When negative circumstances arise, and you make the choice to stay calm and live in peace, you are showing that you have faith and trust in God. You are saying, "God, I know that You are in control, I know that You're going to see me through. I know that no weapon formed against me is going to prosper." Today, choose to keep peace in your life. When you cast your burdens on Him, He promises to sustain you-that's a place of true peace, a place of lasting power!
A Prayer for Today
God, what an amazing discovery to find that Your perfect peace is within me! I trust You and will tap into that peace when life tries to steal it away. Thank you for giving me power over negative attitudes! In Jesus' Name - Amen.
Thank you , God bless...
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