Bask in the Sonshine!

In Praise of Our Beloved, Sweet Lord,

Jesus Christ

Page 2

"You are Christ, my Holy Father, my Tender God, my Great King, my Good Shepherd, my Only Master, my Best Helper, (my Best, Best Friend*), my Most Beautiful and my Beloved, my Living Bread, my Priest Forever, my Leader to my Country, my True Light, my Holy Sweetness, my StraightWay, my Excellent Wisdom, my Pure Simplicity, my Peaceful Harmony, my Entire Protection, my Good Portion, my Everlasting Salvation.

Christ Jesus, Sweet Lord, why have I ever loved, why in my whole life have I ever desired anything except You, Jesus my God? Where was I when I was not in spirit with You? Now, from this time forth, do you, all my desires, grow hot, and flow out upon the Lord Jesus: run.....you have been tardy until now; hasten where you are going; seek Whom you are seeking. O, Jesus may she(he) who loves You not be an anathema; may she(he) who loves You not be filled with bitterness.

O, Sweet Jesus, may every good feeling that is fitted for Your praise, love You, delight in You, adore You! God of my heart, and my Portion, Christ Jesus, may my heart faint away in spirit, and may You be my Life within me! May the live coal of Your Love grow hot within my spirit and break forth into a perfect fire; may it burn incessantly on the altar of my heart; may it glow in my innermost being; may it blaze in hidden recesses of my soul; and in the days of my consummation may I be found consummated with You! Amen."

~ St. Augustine of Hippo ~

~ *added in May 1989 by TrueBrits ~

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"Dear Jesus, help me to spread Your Fragrance everywhere I go. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Yours. Shine through me and be so in me, that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your Presence in my soul: let them look up and see no longer me ~ but only Jesus."

~ St. John Neuman ~

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"I came to You late, O Beauty so ancient and new. I came to love You late. You were within me and I was outside where I rushed about wildly searching for You like some monster loose in Your beautiful world. You were with me but I was not with You. You called me, You shouted to me, You wrapped me in Your Splendour, You broke past my deafness, You bathed me in Your Light, You sent my blindness reeling. You gave out such a delightful fragrance and I drew it in and came breathing hard after You. I tasted, and it made me hunger and thirst; You touched me, and I burned to know Your Peace."

~ St. Augustine of Hippo writing about his conversion ~

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"Jesus, call me out of my darkness into your light. Call me out of my blindness into your sight. Call me out of my loneliness into your love."

~ John Powell, S.J. ~

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"The Peace Prayer"

"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy;

(Where there is anger, forgiveness*).

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life."

~ St. Francis of Assisi ~

~ *added by TrueBrits in 1995 ~

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"The Serenity Prayer"

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change those things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."

~ St. Francis of Assisi ~

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"The Canticle of the Sun" ~ "Son" ~

"Most High, All-Powerful, All-Good Lord!

All praise is yours, all glory, all honour, and all blessing.

To You alone, Most High, do they belong.

No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that You have made,

And first my lord Brother Sun,

Who brings the day; and light You give to us through him.

How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendour!

Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sisters Moon and Stars;

In the heavens You have made them, bright and precious and fair.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,

And fair and stormy, all the weather's moods,

By which you cherish all that You have made.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,

so useful, lowly, precious, and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

Through whom you brighten up the night.

How beautiful he is, how gay,

Full of power and strength.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth,

Our mother who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces

Various fruits and coloured* flowers and herbs.

All praise by yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon

For love of You; through those who endure sickness and trial.

Happy those who endure in peace, by You, Most High,

they will be crowned.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death,

From whose embrace no mortal can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin!

Happy those she finds doing Your Will!

The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks,

And serve Him with great humility."

~ St. Francis of Assisi ~

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*Webmaster's commentary ~ coloured ~ The Good Lord also created people in
various colours but in one race ~ The Human Race ~

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"St. Anthony of Padua's Prayer"

"Lord Jesus, bind us to You and to our neighbour with love.

May our hearts not be turned away from you.

May our souls not be deceived nor our talents or minds enticed by

allurements of error, so that we may never distance ourselves

from Your Love.

Thus may we love our neighbours as ourselves with strength, wisdom,

and gentleness. With Your help, You who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen."

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Poems and Sayings

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"Born Again"

Once I was a part time Christian

Practicing my faith now and then.

Since I made my commitment to Jesus

I have been born again!

Just like the joyous butterfly

Who spread his wings and flew

So too have I left my past behind

And began my life anew.

I have accepted Jesus as my Lord.

I will spread His message of Peace.

Until I tell everyone of His love.

My efforts can never cease.

Some won't understand how I've changed.

So I will pray for those who scorn

And hope that they, like me

Will someday be reborn.

~ Paul F. Malinowski ~

"Unless a person is born from above, he/she cannot see the kingdom of God."

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"The Difference"

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the the day;

I had so much to accomplish that I didn't have the time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me and heavier came each task;

"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.

He said, "But you didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;

I wondered why God didn't show me.

He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence;

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

"My Child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day.

I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

~ Grace L. Naessens ~

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"The Power of God"

An afflicted Man in terrible pain

Hanging from a Cross of wood:

This is the symbol of God's love for man

And of His power to turn evil into good.

Jesus took upon His shoulders

The world's hatred and scorn.

He made the supreme sacrifice

So that our souls would be reborn.

The Crucifix is our sign of hope.

A reminder that God is near

With the knowledge He is at our side.

What trial can we fear?

No army has ever so inspired

No earthly empire has ever so awed

As much as the greatest force of all

The mighty power of God.

~ Paul F. Malinowski ~

"I decided to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

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My child, I've often heard your question: This message is my answer.

You're concerned about the hungry in the world, millions who are starving...and you ask, "What can I do?"

FEED ONE

You grieve for all the unborn children murdered every day...and you ask: "What can I do?"

SAVE ONE

You're haunted by the homeless poor who wander city streets...and you ask: "What can I do?"

SHELTER ONE

You feel compassion for those who suffer pain, sorrow, and despair...and you ask: "What can I do?"

COMFORT ONE

Your heart goes out to the lonely, the abused, and the imprisoned...and you ask: "What can I do?"

LOVE ONE

Remember this, My child...two thousand years ago the world was filled with those in need, just as it is today, and when the helpless and the hopeless called out to Me for mercy, I sent a Saviour... Hope began with only One!

~ B.J. Hoff ~

Humane.net

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"One Life"

He was born in a stable, in an obscure village,

From there He travelled, less than 200 miles.

He never won an election. He never went to college.

He never owned a home. He never had a lot of money.

He became a nomadic preacher. Popular opinion turned

against Him. He was betrayed by a close friend and His

other friends ran away.

He was unjustly condemned to death. Crucified on a cross

between common thieves on a hill overlooking the town dump.

And when dead, laid in a borrowed grave.

Twenty centuries have come and gone. Empires have risen

and fallen. Mighty armies have marched. And powerful

rulers have reigned.

Yet no one has affected humanity as much as He.

He is the central figure of the human race.

He is the Messiah, the Son of God, JESUS CHRIST.

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"Footprints"

One night a woman (man) had a dream. She (he) dreamed she(he) was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from her (his) life. For each scene, she (he) noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to her (him), and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of her (his) life flashed before her (him), she (he) looked back at the footprints in the sand. She (he) noticed that many times along the path of her (his) life there was only one set of footprints. She (he) also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in her (his) life.

This really bothered her (him) and she (he) questioned the LORD about it. "LORD, You said that once I decided to follow You, You'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints, I don't understand why when I needed You most You would leave me."

The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During those times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

~ Margaret Fishback Powers ~

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Jesus the Teacher

He never taught a lesson in a classroom....He had no tools to work with, no blackboards, maps or charts....He used no subject outlines, kept no records, gave no grades, and His only text was ancient and well-worn....His students were the poor, the lame, the deaf, the blind, the outcast--and His method was the same for all who came to hear and learn....He opened eyes with faith....He opened ears with simple truth, and opened hearts with love, a love born of forgiveness....a gentle man, a humble man, He asked and won no honours, no gold awards of tribute to His expertise or wisdom....and yet this quiet Teacher from the hills of Galilee has fed the needs, fulfilled the hopes and changed the lives of many millions....for what He taught brought heaven to earth and God's heart to all.

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Not too long ago, there was a young woman who had an extremely heavy cross to bear. One evening following a really difficult day, the woman fell on her knees and she pleaded with the LORD, "Dear God, I've tried so hard and so long to carry this cross but it has become so overwhelming, I can't cope with it any longer. Please remove it."

The LORD replied, "I shall remove your cross but I also want to show you something. See that door over there, I want you to enter and leave your cross in that room."

The woman did as she was instructed. She entered the room and put down her cross. Immediately, she felt completely relieved, "O LORD, thank You. I feel so much better."

The LORD replied, "I am pleased that you are happy. Now, My child, remember I said I wanted to show you something. "She answered, "Yes, I remember, LORD." "There is another room I want you to enter", as The LORD pointed to the door in the opposite corner. She quickly complied with the LORD's direction. The first thing she noticed was that the room was full up with crosses.

Upon entering the room, The LORD then said to her, "My child, I require that you choose another cross. Look around and select anyone you want."

She looked around the room at all the crosses. Most were so huge that their tops couldn't be seen. Finally, there in the corner, she spied the tiniest cross of all. She said to the LORD, "There, that's the one I'll take."

The LORD got an astonished look on His face, "My dear child, that's the one you entered with."

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"The Cross in My Pocket"

I carry a cross in my pocket

A simple reminder to me

Of the fact that I am a Christian

No matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic

Nor is it a good luck charm

It isn't meant to protect me

From every physical harm.

It's not for identification

For all the world to see

It's simply an understanding

Between my Saviour and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket

To bring out a coin or a key

The cross is there to remind me

Of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me, too, to be thankful

For my blessings day by day

And to strive to serve Him better

In all that I do and say.

It's also a daily reminder

Of the peace and comfort I share

With all who know my Master

And give themselves to His care.

So, I carry a cross in my pocket

Reminding no one but me

That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life

If only I'll let Him be.

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God has not promised skies always blue,

flower-strewn pathways, all our lives through.

God has not promised sun without rain,

joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God has promised strength for the day,

rest for the labour, light for the way,

grace for the trials, help from above,

unfailing sympathy, undying love.

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"One Solitary Life"

He was born in an obscure village.

He worked in a carpenter shoppe until He was thirty.

He then became an itinerant preacher.

He never held an office.

He never had a family or owned a house.

He didn't go to college.

He had no credentials but Himself.

He was only thirty-three when the public turned

against Him. His friends ran away.

He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial.

He was nailed to a cross between two thieves.

While He was dying, His executioners gambled for

His clothing, the only property He had on Earth.

He was laid in a borrowed grave.

Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today

He is the central figure of the human race.

All the armies that ever marched, all the navies

that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever

sat, and all the monarchs that ever reigned have

not affected the life of humankind on this Earth

as much as that One Solitary Life.

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"The Legend of the Crucifix Fish"

Of all the fishes in the sea

our Lord chose the lowly sailcat

to remind us of His misery.

His body on the cross is outlined,

the hilt of the sword

which was plunged into His side

is clearly defined.

Look at the back of the fish's bone

where the Roman shield is shown.

When you shake the cross

you will hear the dice being tossed 

for our Lord's blood stained dress.

Those who can hear them--

will be blessed.

~ Conrad S. Lantz ~

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"The Holy Shell"

The Mellita Testudinata commonly called the Florida Sand Dollar is one of the most unusual specimens of Florida marine life. This shell symbolizes the LIFE OF JESUS.

In the centre of the shell is a five-pointed star--the star that guided the wise men to the manger.

The narrow openings represent the Crucifixion-~four wounds in His hands and feet, the fifth wound in His side.

When the shell is opened, there are found five little doves...Doves of Peace.

On the reverse side is an outline of the Christmas Poinsettia.

The grey Sand Dollar represents LIFE ~ the white Sand Dollar represents the RESURRECTION.

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"God so loved the world that He gave His only Son."

"I myself am the Bread of life."

"I am the Light of the world."

"I am the Gate."

"I am the Good Shepherd."

"I am the True Vine."

"I am the Resurrection and the Life."

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

~ The Gospel of John ~

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Jesus cordially invites you to a dinner to be given in His honour.

"By the mystery of this water and wine, may we come to share in the divinity of Christ Who humbled Himself to share in our humanity."

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"Through Him, with Him, and, in Him, in unity with the Holy Spirit all glory and honour is Yours, Almighty Father, forever and ever. Amen"

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Praise be unto You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of Endless Glory!

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May the Peace, Love, and, Light of Jesus and Mary be with you
and your families always and all ways!

~ TrueBrits ~

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"Martha and Mary"

As they continued their journey He entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed Him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at His feet listening to Him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to Him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and she shall have it to the fullest."

~ Luke 10: 38~42 ~

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Click on the Cross to go to Page 2A

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Please send us your Jesus links. Thank you.

Canterbury Chalice & Cruet are Courtesy of Henwood Church Suppliers ~ Folkestone, Kent 

Silver Paten is Courtesy of Avon Silversmiths Ltd. ~
 Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

Sand Sculptures ~ Artist Unknown

The Background Music is "I Will Follow Him".