September 12, 2007

• Quote for the Week:

  
  

  ‘Those trusting in the Lord are like a mountain of Sion,’ (Ps. 124/125:1).  What is the force of the addition of ‘Sion’?  I mean, instead of simply saying ‘like a mountain,’ why did he make mention of that particular mountain?  To teach us not to be brought down by misfortune nor drowned in it, but to depend on hope in God and bear everything nobly – wars, conflicts, alarms.  For this mountain, too, was once deserted and bare of inhabitants, and in turn recovered its former prosperity, regaining its ancient popularity with an influx of inhabitants and manifestation of marvels.  So, too, the noble man is not brought down, even should he suffer countless troubles.  Do not, then, look for a life without hazards or strife or hardship, but for one that is not undermined by hazards.   St. John Chrysostom

  Scripture of the Week:  

  The Lord said: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. Mark 8:34-35

  Question of the Week:  

  As we remember the events of September 11th,  it reminds us how fragile life is and how so often we can take much for granted.   Today, consider how you express appreciation to your family and friends?  

  Thought of the Week: The Three-Day Rule 

  Have you ever bought all the raw materials for a back yard project, only to find the materials still sitting in your driveway two months later? Why do we let things like this happen? We certainly have the best of intentions. Maybe we need to implement the Three-Day Rule in our life! It goes like this: if you do not plan on starting a given project within three days, DO NOT BUY THE MATERIALS FOR IT. Why not? Because it ends up being a burden in our life and one more unfinished thing ‘to do.’ It may seem like a small thing, but when you add up four or five or more unfinished projects coupled with our other daily responsibilities, it puts more pressure on our backs and more stress on our minds. It can bring feelings of over whelmedness when there are too many unfinished projects hanging over our heads. So beginning today, vow NOT to add one more new item to your project list until you complete those that are already underway. Finish painting that room, repair that old shutter, weed what needs weeding, then you will see clearly what needs to be done next in your life. Make this fall a time of finishing uncompleted projects and you will add peace of mind to your life. You also may find yourself playing with your kids more or even desiring to get away on a date with your hubby! The binding chains of incomplete projects are definitely chains worth breaking.

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