Has a bird ever flown about inside your church? I recall visiting storied Gothic cathedrals in Europe and hearing bird calls high above in rotundas and steeples. It’s a vivid image that the psalmist gives us today, that of sparrows and swallows raising their young inside the Temple. And it’s a fitting image for us too. As people of prayer, we understand that the church altar and sanctuary are sacred dwellings spaces that beckon our presence, as we seek the divine Presence.
The psalmist speaks of a longing for the Temple, and for us, this is analogous to our own longing for heaven. As birds seek the sanctuary of their nest, may we also find a secure and peaceful dwelling within the family of God in our local parish church and, ultimately, one day within the courts of heaven.
I ask for someone to be added to the many prayers today. My niece’s best, best friend since kindergarten has Cystic Fibrosis and after many years on the transplant list, found out that they may have a donor lung for her. Please pray for a perfect match, for the medical staff involved in the transport and surgery, and for strength for Julia and her family. Also, please pray for the family who lost a loved one and so generously donated in order to allow Julia to live.
It will be a prayer filled evening for me tonight for Cheryl & Malcolm, Bill S., Stormi and her husband. along with Ken's folks Stephanie and Christine and Debbie and Anna.
*** Excellent song for today, Sparrows by Jason Gray https://youtu.be/wRJZQFRyZ6s?si=Gn4c_aNrgoWKU0gM *** Matthew 10:29-31, "Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But not one of them falls to the ground outside your Father’s care. He even counts every hair on your head! So don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows!" Amen ✝️ *** God takes care of them (you) in Psalm 84:3, "Lord Who rules over all, even the sparrow has found a home near your altar. My King and my God, the swallow also has a nest there, where she may have her young!" And Hosea 11:11, "They will come from Egypt, trembling like sparrows. They will return from Assyria, flying in like doves. I will settle you again in your homes,” announces the Lord." ******* My "sacred space" is in God's Word, the Bible, Scripture and BSF is the tool/path to my "sacred space!" ✝️ *** My BSF student co-leader and I have 22 registered students for the Upper Elementary (ages 7-11) class this year on Wednesdays. We have a total of 62 students (ages 6-18) and 98 pre-schoolers (ages 0-5) registered to study Revelation this year Wednesday mornings at BSF ✝️ *** I was leading the students in the "Live Differently" based on the main truth we learn from "Discover Truth!" My question to the students was, "Will you commit (What does it mean to commit? It means making a promise to yourself) to doing your Discovery Guide daily and pray for the Holy Spirit to teach you?" They were given an index card to write down the best time and place where they will do their daily lesson :-) *** I am so excited for the Revelation study this year at BSF and the privilege to be a student leader :-) My prayer, "Praying for students and leaders this year in BSF studying Revelation realizing and receiving the hope we have in Jesus personally by His Grace and for His Glory!" Amen!!!
Thank you Pat for your words. They helped me to refocus on my direction. As I have felt extremely abandoned by family and friend lately this is a good reminder to keep turning to God for his help. I do ask for prayers for my husband. He has been very angry and agitated as of late and I fear it is something with his heart again. He has a Dr. appointment this morning and is angry about it. I think his fears turn into anger. Please pray for him to find his guidance and for me to be there for him and find my patience to understand his actions :} Blessings to all the LFF, especially those needing an extra hand these days and may we spread the love of God through all the world.
Angel of God and Guardian dear, to whom God’s love entrusts your husband here. Ever this day be at his side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Please stay with Stormi and her husband during this time and allow them the time and space to work through this challenge together. Sending you light for the path Stormi!❤️
Praying for you and your husband.
Dear Stormy, sending love and prayers to you and your husband today and yes, you are spot on about how fear and depression may present itself as anger. You are a special woman and the LFF family is holding you up, always here to share life challenges. Hope all is well with your husband.
Stormi, praying for your husband and you in Isaiah 41:10, "So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in my hands. I always do what is right!" You are probably correct about your husband! I had seen my father-in-law exhibited the same symptoms due to his health of heart issues and dementia /Alzheimer :-( *** When we couldn't talk him into calm, we played Christian music :-)
Stormi I will pray for you and your husband right now. You are such a treasure to this site. Living faith family the bishop was super he came down fron pulpit and engage with the school children. Then after Mass I was surprised by a beautiful lady asking me if I was Ken. Yes, guess who it was Pam from the living faith family. I brought her my friend's house to meet Terry. Please Continue to pray for Stephanie and Christine and Debbie and Anna. Ken
God has given you the gift of intuition, Stormi. You seem to understand your husband's fears so well. I pray you both get some good info from the doctor that will bring you both unified calm. Amen.
Good morning LFF, I woke this morning to find this beautiful quote from St. John Chrysostom that really spoke to me, given that my best friend, Rick passed away last week. We have all lost good friends, and it leaves a void in our hearts. I can relate to being in darkness, without sunshine, since he’s no longer here to talk with or exchange texts. I’m very thankful for the many other friends that I still have including this Living Faith Family. Have a blessed day! "A friend is more to be longed for than the light; I speak of a genuine one. And wonder not: for it were better for us that the sun should be extinguished, than that we should be deprived of friends; better to live in darkness, than to be without friends." — St. John Chrysostom
Beautiful reflection Bill. I am sure Rick is watching over you and will send you a reminder of his ongoing presence in your life. He may be thinking about you and sending you love, just as you are missing him. Thank you for sharing this with us today.
Praying for you. It’s been four years since a very good friend of mine died. Miss her very much.
Proverbs 18:24, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother!"
Bill S. that is a great quote. True friends are hard to find. When blessed with a ture friend, it's such a blessing. LFF thanks for being a friend.
Amen... beautiful message Pat... please send some prayers for my brother Malcolm who developed a high fever and infection yesterday and is back in hospital 3 weeks after he fell off a ladder and broke both legs
Oh Cheryl, sending light to Malcolm and asking God to be generous with his healing powers during this time. Comfort Malcolm and give him the courage and strength to continue to improve. Amen.
Cheryl I will pray for you and your brother Malcolm right now. Ken
Praying for Malcom.
Praying for you brother Malcom, Cheryl. May they locate the source of his infection and move forward to healing him. Dear Lord Jesus, please let Malcom feel your presence and comfort him in his time of need. Amen
Praying for Malcolm in Jeremiah 17:14, "O Lord, if You heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone!" Amen!!! Praying for Malcolm to know Jesus more first and foremost through it all, Amen!!!
Malcolm and your family have been in my prayers today Cheryl
Extra prayers today for Malcom Cheryl.
Cheryl prayers for Malcolm that he may be healed quickly and those aiding him are guided in the right direction.
I'll add your brother to my daily prayers for those needing healing powers. Bless his heart.
Who said all bodies are "living temple!"???
Not all bodies are "living temple!" *** Romans 8:9, "But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all.) *** 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, Who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." *** Where the Holy Spirit is, that is where the temple is :-)
Are bodies are all living temples, that is true. But churches are where we gather together to worship as an assembly of the body of Christ. They are also where the sacrifice of the Eucharist is offered (at the command of Christ) and where the blessed host is stored. Thus, they are sacred places of worship.
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Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, and those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.