"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
"And only where God is seen does life truly begin. Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary. There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is nothing more beautiful than to know Him and to speak to others of our friendship with Him." Pope Benedict XVI
Even the part about Judgment and Hell reflects the wish that somewhere the score is being kept.
Dreams are wishful thinking.
Children playing at being grown-up is wishful thinking.
Interplanetary travel is wishful thinking.
Sometimes wishing is the wings the truth comes true on.
Sometimes the truth is what sets us wishing for it."
From "Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC" by Frederick Buechner
"Being a survivor of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, God has shown me some very important things,
one of which is how unattached I am to material things. One reason for that, I believe,
is over the years I have not had the means to accumulate a lot of 'stuff.'
This has ended up being a huge blessing--a wonderful
gift from God--because I'm not depressed about the things I did lose.
I salvaged one item from my house(my late paternal grandmother's soup tureen) and said goodbye to the rest.
I thanked God for use of those things while I had them.
While I had hoped to salvage some family photos, it didn't happen. Mold, mildew and sludge
covered the inside of my house, which had been closed up for about six weeks straight.
What I have invested in is raising my now 23 yr. old daughter,
the last 21 years as a single parent. I just pray that when I stand before God,
he will be able to say to me, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'
Perhaps being materially poor is not such a bad thing after all." --pp
"Though the Lord himself slay me, yet will I trust him." - Job 13:15
"For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come.
...(for) the just shall live by faith." - Habakkuk 2:3(a);4(b)
"The glory of friendship lies in spiritual inspiration that comes when
one discovers that someone believes in him and is willing to trust him." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:12-15
"In the presence of the Lamb
I know who I am."
From "I Know Who I Am" by Ashley Cleveland
"I believe what I believe
It's what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God
Not the invention of any man."
From "Creed" by Rich Mullins (10/21/55-9/19/97)
"Be it through financial resources, prayer or other means, the most satisfying times in life
come when I'm serving others." --pp
"Life is not about me and what I (think I) want per se. Life seems to be more about what I can do to make life better for those I love and for many I encounter along the way. Sometimes I know, often I hope, but most of the time I'm totally clueless as to the kind of influence I'm having on others. Hopefully, overall I'm making a positive difference. And along the way some of my dreams do come true." --pp
"Life for me has rarely been experienced in the 'traditional' way (i.e., the order in which we were told life events should occur). What I have found in my life is that some goals and dreams are becoming reality later in life, but at least they're coming to pass. That gives me hope other things I want to experience before I die can also become reality one day. Timing is everything, and it's never according to MY timetable." --pp
" '...for such a time as this...' (Esther 4:14) - I'm not there just yet." --pp
"To fear God doesn't mean to be afraid of Him; it means to fear offending Him." - Fr. Victor Brown, O.P.
"I am so grateful for the Lord calling me to full communion with the catholic (i.e., univeral) Church this past Easter vigil. Over the past 2 1/2 years I have come to know what it's like to be loved for who I am. Who could ask for more?"--pp
"Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help and sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother! To thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Oh Mother of the Word incarnate! Despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen."
Mother Mary, thank you for praying with and for me. I know I've only just begun to understand the important role you play and will play in my life. --pp
'Whatever He (Jesus) says to you, do it.' " John 2:5 (NIV)
Doesn't that apply to all followers/servants of Christ even today? Such a beautiful and wise teaching by the Blessed Mother. --pp
From "Here in America" by Rich Mullins, Poet and Musician (1955-1997)
"Let mercy lead
Let love be the strength in your legs
And in every footprint that you leave
There'll be a drop of grace
If we can reach
Beyond the wisdom of this age
Into the foolishness of God
That foolishness will save
Those who believe
Although their foolish hearts may break
They will find peace
And I'll meet you in that place
Where mercy leads"
From "Let Mercy Lead" by Rich Mullins and Beaker
"Though we're strangers, still I love you
I love you more than your mask
And you know you have to trust this to be true
And I know that's much to ask
But lay down your fears, come and join this feast
He has called us here, you and me
And may peace rain down from heaven
Like little pieces of the sky
Little keepers of the promise
Falling on these souls
This drought has dried
In His blood and in His body
In the bread and in this wine
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you
And though I love you, still we're strangers
Prisoners in these lonely hearts
And though our blindness separates us
Still His light shines in the dark
And His outstretched arms are still strong enough to reach
Behind these prison bars to set us free
So may peace rain down from heaven
Like little pieces of the sky
Little keepers of the promise
Falling on these souls the drought has dried
In His blood and in His body
In this bread and in this wine
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you."
From "Peace (A Communion Blessing from St. Joseph's Square)" by Rich Mullins and Beaker
"I've heard it said the best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother. Until the day he died, it was always obvious my dad loved my mother and wanted to make her happy. We, his five children, benefited from that love."
"My dad taught us some of the most important lessons in life by example--honesty, the value of work, taking responsibility for our actions, and commitment to family. Daddy, I love and miss you. (WEKjr 4/8/1932-2/1/2004)"
--Tricia (aka Kokomo)
"When you remember me, it means you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart." - Frederick Buechner
"Sometimes hope is all we have.
But without hope we are killed." --
Beki Hemingway, Musician
Roll Tulane Green Wave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! --pp, a proud 2007 graduate of Tulane University!!!
Last
updated September 6, 2007
Copyright
© 1998-2007
Patricia Patterson
New Orleans, Louisiana