Thoughts on shopping

Shopping:  The fine art of acquiring things you don't need with money you don't have.  - Author Unknown

Choose wisely

Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.  - Unknown

For our Plant Manager who turned 50 today.

Middle age: Later than you think, and sooner than you expected.

Good friends

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends. - Unknown

I remember seeing this funny little quote a few year back on a sign in someone's kitchen.

Living, dying & debt

No man should be afraid to die, who hath understood what it is to live. - Thomas Fuller  (Philips' Book of Great Thoughts and Funny Sayings)

Bonus quote:

A man in debt is caught in a net. - Unknown
                                    (Philips' Book of Great Thoughts and Funny Sayings)

What does that mean for a Nation?

Celebrate the beauty

All you who love the Lord, sing His praises, celebrate the beauty of His Holiness. - Divine Office

Appearing on a burlap banner near you.

(Think of one's self as a teakettle) Though up to it's neck in hot water, It continues to sing.  -Unknown
    I still have vivid memories of all the burlap and felt banners that used to be part of my home life in the 1970s and part of church life too. Statements like this quote were often on them. While I generally found them to be somewhat goofy and a bit nauseating, some did contain glimmers of truth. I wouldn't call this one of my favorite quotes, but I do like the imagery and the perspective it provides. Now where are my platform shoes?

A Father's Prayer

       Father, I thank you for the gift of my family for whom I now pray and upon whom I now ask you  to shower your blessings. With St. Joseph as my guide, may I always be ready  to spend my life for them.
       Bless my wife whom you have given to me as my spouse, sharing in your wondrous work of creation. May I see her as my equal  and treat her with the love of Christ for his Church. May Mary be her guide  and help her to find your peace and your grace.
       Bless my children with Your life and presence. May the example of Your Son  be the foundation upon which their lives are built, that the Gospel may always be their hope and support.
       I ask you, Father, to protect and bless my family. Watch over it so that in the strength of Your love its members may enjoy prosperity, possess the gift of your peace and, as the Church alive in this home, always bear witness to your glory in the world.  Amen.

The back of my office door

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him. - Unknown
I found this quote during a very difficult time in ministry and it was a constant reminder to keep my focus. While I cannot always be gushing with gratitude, I do try to keep things in perspective.