NaBloPoMo

Is done, now I can go back to my regularly scheduled, um, what is it I do again? Oh, and in case you are keeping count - that's three in a row for me! Yay! I also completed my NaPraGoMo for the second year in a row! Yay me, again!

 

What's that? NaNoWriMo? Uh, did I say I was going to do that this year? Must have slipped my mind. Oops! Well, like the Cubs say, there is always next year, right?

 

 

And Now it Ends

My month of blogging prayers has come to an end. I hope that you have enjoyed these, and who knows, maybe they'll pop up every now and again. God Bless you all!

In the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Sunday Shots #6

Thanksgiving edition...

Which seemed to be an appropriate time to give Timmy his first taste of food that didn't come directly from Mom.

Um, can I go back to eating at Mom's?

All better now.

Timmy and Momma!

Post-turkey entertainment... UP!

Looking for those 'Black Friday' sales...

Time to decorate the tree...

Thank you Hallmark for the dogs-barking-jingle-bells ornament.

Lights off

Lights on

You know,

See you next week!

Advent Wreath Prayer

Welcome to Advent, that wonderful time of waiting for our Lord and Savior to be born. Below is a prayer for Advent, specifically the Advent wreath, which consists of three purple candle and one pink, each lit on a Sunday of Advent and good for the whole week. All my Sunday School Kindergarten students will hear me saying "purple, purple, pink, purple" for their remaining classes before Christmas = It's a Mr. Miller thing. :)

The following are the Advent wreath prayers that change every week. They are prayed at the lighting of each candle every day during Advent.

Week One:

The first candle is lit, and the prayer for the first week is said.

Priest:

Let us pray.
Stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, O Lord,
and come, so that we may escape through Thy protection
and be saved by Thy help from the dangers
that threaten us because of our sins.
Who livest and reignest for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

During the first week one candle is left burning during the evening meal, at prayersor at bedtime.

Week Two:

Two candles are lit on the second Sunday and allowed to burn as before. Theprayer for the week is:

Priest:

Let us pray.
O Lord, stir up our hearts
that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son,
that through His coming
we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure souls.
Through the same Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Week Three:

Three candles, including the rose candle, are lit on Gaudete, the third Sunday, and during that week. The following prayer is said:

Priest:

Let us pray.
We humbly beg Thee, O Lord,
to listen to our prayers;
and by the grace of Thy coming
bring light into our darkened minds.
Who livest and reignest for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Week Four:

All four candles are lit on the fourth Sunday and allowed to burn as before. Theprayer said the fourth week is:

Priest:

Let us pray.
Stir up Thy might, we pray Thee, O Lord, and come;
rescue us through Thy great strength so that salvation,
which has been hindered by our sins,
may be hastened by the grace of Thy gentle mercy.
Who livest and reignest for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

See how I did that?

For My Lovely Bride

Her favorite Christmas song. ;-)

Advent Prayer

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God's own work for justice.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's joy. I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.

Phobia Friday #2

It's so exciting that I almost forgot about it. Anyway, here's your weekly phobias...

Ancraophobia- Fear of wind. (Add an extra 'p' and you have a fear of a different kind of wind)

Anginophobia- Fear of angina, choking or narrowness. (Honestly, who doesn't have this? I mean how can this be irrational?)

Anthropophobia- Fear of people or society. (Yeah, I got that!)

Antlophobia- Fear of floods. (Okay, how exactly does antlo equal flood? I would think it would be more in line with a fourteen point buck, myself.)

Apeirophobia- Fear of infinity. (Stay away from Toy Story movies)

That's it for this week. Hope they were enlightening.

A Prayer of Gratitude for God's Blessings

O Lord and Vivifier,
Your grace has achieved for us
all that You had spoken and promised.
Grant us access to the place of Your peace.
For You are our Vivifier,
You are our Consoler,
You are our life Remedy,
You are our Standard of Victory.

Blessed are we, O Lord,
because we have known You!

Blessed are we,
because we have believed in You!

Blessed are we,
because we bear Your wounds
and the sign of Your Blood on our contenances!

Blessed are we,
because You are our great hope!

Blessed are we,
because You are our God forever!

Thanksgiving Prayer

Father in Heaven,

Creator of all and source of all goodness and love,

please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of giving thanks.

Thank you for all the graces and blessings.

You have betowed upon us, spiritual and temporal:

our faith and religious heritage.

Our food and shelter,

our health,

the loves we have for one another,

our family and friends.

Dear Father,

in Your infinite generosity,

please grant us continued graces and blessing throughout the coming year.

This we ask in the Name of Jesus,

Your Son and our Brother.

Amen.

Banjo

So, I was lacking inspiration about three minutes ago, when I remembered that there is a website Oneword that challenges you to write for a minute, that's sixty seconds, about the one word that is shown. This week's word (I think it's a weekly thing) was Banjo, and aside from one misspelling (that I caught) here is what I came up with...

"Banjo!?"

"Yes, the Banjo."

"I don't know how to play the Banjo".

"Doesn't matter, as only seven people throughout human history have ever actually been able to play one."

"What?"

"Seriously, all you have to do is wiggle your finger like this..."

Now it's your turn. Have fun!

The Angelus V

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R- And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. (Hail Mary....)
V- Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R- Be it done unto me according to thy word. (Hail Mary....)
V- And the Word was made Flesh.
R- And dwelt among us. (Hail Mary....)
V- Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R- That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord,

Thy grace into our hearts;

that, we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son,

was made known by the message of an Angel,

may by His Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.

Through the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Traditionally, the Angelus is said at 6 - 12 - 6.

Batman Begins... A Chick Flick?

Sure there are lots of guns and masked crusaders, but if you really look at it, objectively, it's really a love story between Bruce Wayne and Rachel Dawes. Just take this line of dialog, for instance:

Rachel Dawes: I never stopped thinking about you. About us. And when I heard you were back, I-I started to hope.
[Rachel kisses Bruce]
Rachel Dawes: But then I found out about your mask.
Bruce Wayne: Batman's just a symbol, Rachel.
Rachel Dawes: [Rachel touches Bruce's face] No, *this* is your mask. Your real face is the one that criminals now fear. The man I loved - the man who vanished - he never came back at all. But maybe he's still out there, somewhere. Maybe some day, when Gotham no longer needs Batman, I'll see him again.

I mean if that doesn't just scream out "chick flick," what does?

Except if it included, say, vampires and werewolves.

Maybe.

Prayer for the Gift of Wisdom

Because who doesn't need it?

Great is the wisdom of the Lord!

God Almighty,

Your Wisdom includes An understanding of what is fair,

What is logical,

what is true,

What is right and what is lasting.

It mirrors Your pure intellect!

I entreat You to grant me such Wisdom,

That my labours may reflect Your insight.

Your Wisdom expands in Your creations,

Displaying complexity and multiplicity.

Your Wisdom is an eternity ahead of man.

May Your wisdom flourish forever!

What is it? Answer #2

The item that I wrote about yesterday was (drum roll):

Crunch 'n Munch Buttery Toffee (Popcorn with Peanuts)

Good news? it has 0g of Trans Fat (must be all that soy). Oh, and it's pretty tasty as well. I think you can get the 4oz box at Wal-Mart for $1.25.

Enjoy!

So, Nobody's Home

Yep.

No distractions.

No noise.

No crying.

No whining.

No joy.

No fun.

I miss my family.

Prayer before Starting on a Journey

Jenni and the kids, well six of them anyway, are traveling to the Dells with some friends today. So, I thought I would start their journey off with a Prayer before Starting a Journey for them, and for everyone that is traveling for the Thanksgiving weekend. Safe travels, and God Bless!

My holy Angel Guardian,

ask the Lord to bless the journey which I undertake,

that it may profit the health of my soul and body;

that I may reach its end, and that,

returning safe and sound,

I may find my family in good health.

Do thou guard, guide and preserve us.

Amen.

What is it? #2

Since I actually had someone guess last week when I introduced this segment, (thanks Jeff!) I figured I would give it another go around. So, if you are ready, here is this week's food item:

Ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, peanuts, popcorn, butter (pasteurized sweet cream, salt, and annatto(color)), margarine (partially hydrogenated soybean oil, liquid soybean oil, water, salt sweet dairy whey, soybean lecithin, mono and diglycerides, sodium benzoate, added as a preservative, artificial flavor, colored with beta carotene and vitamin A palmitate) soybean and/or cottonseed oil, salt soybean lecithin, baking soda, corn oil, BHA, BHT.

Whew! Any guesses? Like last time, the answer will be posted in approximately 24 hours.

Happy guessing!

Sunday Shots #5

We'll call this one, Fun with Trains...

Here's the architect of the great train plan, and his able-bodied journeyman.

Supervising the trains from his seat of power, in dispatch.

"Okay Duncan*, you better slow up or you're going to run into Skarloey*."

"Hey Duncan, did you hear me?"

"Aye, slowing down now."

"Thank you."

"Hey! Where did everybody go?"

Have a great day!!

* These are friends of Thomas the Tank Engine.

Prayer of Thanks for People

God of Love,
I thank You for the people in my life
who are easy to love.
I thank You for my family and friends
who understand my actions,
who support me in my decisions,
and whose presence can lift the burden of a thorny day.

Help me with those who are difficult to love.
When they come at me with criticism
and wild expectations,
when they ignore me
or try to bend me to their will,
let me recognize their flaws and their dangers.
But then let me remember your attitude toward them,
and lead me to see them
in the light of Your love.

Amen.

So, it's Saturday

Which of course means it is nearing midnight, because like you, I usually don't read blogs on Saturday.

This shouldn't be so, but it is.

Maybe someone should do something about it.

Any volunteers?

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, make me holy.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, fill me with love.

Water from Christ's side, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

Good Jesus, hear me.

Within your wounds, hide me.

Never let me be parted from you.

From the evil enemy, protect me.

At the hour of my death, call me.

And tell me to come to you.

That with your saints I may praise you.

Through all eternity.

Amen.

Phobia Friday

Let's see how long this one lasts. :)

 

It's Friday, so it must mean phobias. Are you excited yet? I love looking at words and trying to think of the etymology of each, or in this case more than likely, making fun of the words. Not the condition, the words. Don't want anyone to be upset with little ol' me because I made a little fun of their irrational fear.

 

 

Today's phobias are:

 

Ablutophobia - Fear of washing or bathing. (A "blue toe?" Maybe you ought to get that taken care of and take a bath!) (It has to get better, right?)

Achluophobia - Fear of darkness (I actually feel like saying "God Bless You!" after hearing this word read out loud.)

Acrophobia - Fear of heights (Obviously named for someone that isn't acrobatic. But shouldn't it be Nonacrophobia?) (I'm not so sure that this was/is a good idea.)

Aerophobia- Fear of drafts, air swallowing, or airbourne noxious substances. (Lots of people have this today, with reason.)

Agrizoophobia- Fear of wild animals. (It's a mix of grizzly and zoo, and could just as easily be 'Arhizoophobia, Atigezoophobia, Aleozoophobia. You get the point.)

 

Agyrophobia- Fear of streets or crossing the street. (I figured that this was just a fear of a Greek sandwich, made from lamb meat.)

 

 

(ED: Methinks that everyone will now have a fear known as Mylhirogerstupidtalkaphobia, or something like that. Maybe he should just stick to stealing Jeff's idea. At least he has readers.)

 

C - YA!

 

Roger

Act of Contrition

Because I got mad at the AT&T dude for not showing up last night...

 

O my God,

I am heartily sorry for having offended thee and I detest all my sins,

because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell,

but most of all because they offend thee,

my God,

who are all good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve,

with the help of thy grace,

to confess my sins,

to do penance,

and to amend my life.

Amen.

 

God Bless!

 

Roger

I Thought Losing the TV was Bad

Well, now I have one better.

My DVR.

Yep, I have no idea what happened to it. I mean sure, it did fall to the ground, but seriously, it wasn't that far.

Now what do I do?

I really have no idea, but I am sure that I will be making a few phone calls tomorrow, and hopefully, I can just run into the nearest AT&T store and swap out my bad box, for a good one. :)

I just hope that they don't ask too many questions.

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen,
Mother of mercy,
our light, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy towards us and after this,
our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb,
Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Yawns Are Contagious

Please stop.

Thank you and goodnight.

Prayer to Live as a Child of God

Father in Heaven,
when the Spirit came down upon Jesus
at His Baptism in the Jordan,
You revealed Him as Your own Beloved Son.
Keep me, Your child,
born of water and the Spirit,
faithful to my calling.
May I, who share in Your Life
as Your child through Baptism,
follow in Christ's path of service to people.
Let me become one in His Sacrifice
and hear His Word with faith.
May I live as Your child,
following the example of Jesus.

Dragons Love Burt Bacharach

Have you ever had something that you wanted to say, and then you sit down and get ready to say it, when all of a sudden...

Poof!

A dragon appears in your living room?

"Hey Buddy?"

A talking dragon, at that.

"Do you know the way to San Jose?"

A talking dragon that, apparently, likes Burt Bacharach songs.

"I've been away so long. I may go wrong and lose my way."

A talking dragon that , apparently, really likes Burt Bacharach songs.

"Oh, so sorry, I didn't see you there. Do you have anything to eat?"

A talking dragon that is into Burt Bacharach, and didn't bring any food for himself.

"Who you calling a him?"

A talking dragon that really enjoys Dionne Warwick singing Burt Bacharach that didn't bring food for herself.

"Whoa! Did you just dis Ms. Warwick?"

A talking dragon that really likes it when you leave Dionne Warwick alone, and if you don't , you just know that the smoke will turn into some flames of pain.

"Flames of pain? What are you drinking bub?"

I don't know, but I think I will go to bed now.

What is it? Answer.

The answer to yesterday's question is...

Pappy's Sauce for Sissies (Mild Barbecue Sauce)

Good for Babies, Brats, and Bikers

Even tough guys can have a hard time with a little spice. That's why there is Baby Food and Pappy's Sauce for Sissies. Honest folks, I couldn't make it any milder and still live with myself.*

* Words of wisdom from Pappy himself, I gather, taken right from the battle I was just holding in my hand.

Morning Offering

Most Holy and Adorable Trinity,
one God in three Persons,
I firmly believe that You are here present;
I adore You with the most profound humility;
I praise You and give You thanks with all my heart for the favors You have bestowed on me. Your Goodness has brought me safely to the beginning of this day.
Behold, O Lord,
I offer You my whole being and in particular all my thoughts, words and actions,
together with such crosses and contradictions as I may meet with in the course of this day. Give them,
O Lord,
Your blessing;
may Your divine Love animate them
and may they tend to the greater honor
and glory of Your Sovereign Majesty.
Amen.

That Silly Teleprompter

Obama's Home Teleprompter Malfunctions During Family Dinner

What Is It?

I am going to give you the ingredients for a popular (maybe) food, drink or condiment, and you get to guess what it is. I'll post the answer tomorrow, so you won't have too long to guess.

Care to have a go?

Ingredients: Tomato sauce (water, tomato paste, salt), sugar, vinegar, fresh garlic, fresh onion, Chile pepper, paprika, modified food starch, natural hickory flavoring,

Worcestershire sauce (distilled vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, water, salt caramel color, garlic powder, sugar, spices, anchovies and natural flavorings), black pepper, xanthan gum, spices, lemon powder (cornsyrup, lemon juice with added lemon oil), and citric acid.

Got it? Good.

My inspiration for this, aside from being bored of course, was a memory of my brothers and I trying to make Coca-Cola, while our dad was out helping a friend of his put up some fence (lots and lots of fence) in Colorado. Yep, we tried and failed miserably, for pretty obvious reasons - now some thirty-plus years later.

Curious what your mind goes to, if you just set it free. When was the last time you just let your mind go, and where did it take you?

Eucharistic Act of Faith

(2004-11-07 In a letter addressed to Archbishop Carlo Ghidelli of Lanciano- Orlona, the Pope said: "I very much desire that, during the Year of the Eucharist, every diocesan community renew publicly its act of faith in Jesus present in the sacrament of the altar and inspire all its life and pastoral action in the Eucharistic spirituality that emerges so clearly in the evangelical accounts." The Eucharistic Act of Faith was authored by the Catholic Doors Ministry in response to the above statement. This prayer should be reproduced according to the need of each faith community so that its members will all have a copy when publicly renewing together their act of faith in the Real Presence of the Eucharist.) I believe in God the Father Almighty. I believe in God the Son, Jesus Christ. I believe in God the Holy Spirit. I believe in the Holy Trinity. I believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. I believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Body of Christ, the Consecrated Bread. I believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blood of Christ, the Consecrated Wine. I believe that Jesus instituted the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as His dwelling Home on earth. I believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacred Tabernacles of the Catholic Church. I believe that Jesus is truly present physically among us, over and above being spiritually present within us. May this truth be known to all for the glory of God. Amen.

(Source: Catholic.org)

Sunday Shots #4

Mostly wordless even, and a little older...

See ya next time!!