Daddy Date Night

A couple of weeks ago, I was supposed to do a daddy date night with my daughter, but an accident involving close friends prevented me from keeping my promise to my little girl. Well today was the day that I got to make up for it.

After picking my daughter up from school, we went to Chuck E. Cheese for a couple of hours of pizza and fun. We had some tokens left over from a visit a couple of months ago, so it was as inexpensive as going to Chick-Fil-A because all we had to pay for was the meal.

It is amazing how quickly she grows. Just a few months ago, she was timid and needed help with all of the rides. This trip, she was fearless! Here are some videos of her fun tonight:

This first video shows how my little girl is capable of climbing up the big steps to get to the tubes and slide:



This next one shows that she still needs a little help with hand/eye coordination as she makes a go of it with a whack-a-mole type game:



This last one shows how talented she is at riding a horse. I don't know where she gets this balance and grace from since most days walking in straight lines proves troublesome!:

November 30, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Jesus Help Me
Jesus Help me. In every need let me come to you with a humble trust saying, Jesus help me. In all my doubts, perplexities and temptations, Jesus help me. In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials, Jesus help me. In failure of my plans and hopes, in disappointments, troubles and sorrows, Jesus help me.

When others fail me and your grace alone can assist me, Jesus help me. When I throw myself on your tender love, as my Lord and Savior, Jesus help me. When my heart is cast down by failure at seeing no good coming from my efforts, Jesus help me.

When I am ill and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely, Jesus help me. Always, Always, in spite of weariness, falls and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus help me and never forsake me.

Almighty Lord, before you I come with all my faith, begging you for comfort in my difficulties. Do not forsake me, My Lord. Open your doors, that your almighty arms will open and close as you design to give that tranquility that I so desire.

Oh my God! Receive my supplication from a wounded heart that is always fighting for me with your Divine power. Never let me scramble for want of help.

Almighty Lord, assist me to find shelter in your celestial bounty forever.

Amen.

November 29, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Late Have I Loved You
A Prayer of Saint Augustine
Late have I loved you, O Beauty, so ancient and so new, late have I loved you!

And behold, you were within me and I was outside, and there I sought for you, and in my deformity I rushed headlong into the well-formed things that you have made.

You were with me, and I was not with you. Those outer beauties held me far from you, yet if they had not been in you, they would not have existed at all.

You called, and cried out to me and broke open my deafness; you shone forth upon me and you scattered my blindness.

You breathed fragrance, and I drew in my breath and I now pant for you.

I tasted, and I hunger and thirst; you touched me, and I burned for your peace.

Saint Augustine was bishop of Hippo in North Africa. This prayer is from his book, "Confessions."

November 28, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

An Intimate Conversation With God
A Prayer by Thomas A Kempis
O most sweet and loving Lord, whom I now devoutly wish to receive, you know my weaknesses and my needs. You know how many bad habits and vices I have. You know how often I am burdened, tempted, shaken and stained by sin. I come to you for healing. I pray to you for comfort and support. I speak to you, who know all things, to whom all my inmost thoughts are evident. You alone can adequately comfort me and help me. You know what good things I need most, and you know how poor I am in virtue.

Look! I stand before you poor and naked, asking your grace and imploring your mercy. Feed me, for I am hungry. Inflame my coldness with the fire of your love. Illuminate my blindness with the light of your presence. Make all that leads me from you not worth thinking about. Make me forget it all. Lift up my heart to you in heaven, and let me not wander aimlessly about the world. From now on, you will be my only delight, for you alone are my food and drink, my love and joy, my sweetness and my whole good.

Oh, that by your presence you would set me fully on fire, totally consume me and transform me into you, so that through the grace of inner union and by melting in love's flames I would become one spirit with you. Do not leave me hungry and thirsty, but treat me mercifully as you have so often and so admirably treated your saints. How wonderful it would be if I were burned and wholly consumed for you, since you are a fire always burning and never consuming, a love that purifies the heart and enlightens the mind. Amen.

November 27, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Morning Prayer
Good Morning My Lord:

Thank you for keeping me safe through the night,
Please watch over me during the day,
and keep me safe from harm.

Give me strength, O Lord,
So that I may make the right choices,
Be kind and good to others.

Please keep my family and friends safe,
Throughout the day and into the night,
And please let me always know you are always with me,
Guiding me and Loving me.

In Jesus Christ's name, I pray
Amen.

November 26, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Rise up, O Children of Light
Orthodox Prayer
Open to us, Lord, your great Door, O Fountain of all mercy, hear our prayer and have mercy on our souls.
Lord of the morning and ruler of all seasons, hear our prayer and have mercy on our souls.
Shine upon me, Lord, and I shall be Light like the day. I will sing your praise in Light while I marvel. May the morning awaken me to the praise of your Godhead and I will pursue the study of your Word all the day long.
With the day may your Light shine on our thoughts and may it drive away the shadows of error from our souls.
The creation is full of Light, give Light also to our hearts that they may praise you with the day and the night.

Rise up, O children of Light, and let us give glory to the Lord who alone can save our souls. O Lord, as you withdraw sleep from the eyes of our body, grant us wakefulness of mind so that we may stand before you in awe and sing your praises worthily. Amen.

November 25, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer for Protection
By James Dillet Freeman

The light of God surrounds me;
The love of God enfolds me;
The power of God protects me;
The presence of God watches over me;
Where ever I am God is. Amen.

November 24, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Welsh Prayer
Grant us, O God, your protection;
and in your protection, strength;
and in strength, understanding;
and in understanding, knowledge;
and in knowledge, the knowledge of justice;
and in the knowledge of justice, the love of justice;
and in that love, the love of existence;
and in the love of existence, the love of God, God and all goodness.

Amen.

November 23, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Just for Today
Morning prayer from St. Augustine's Prayer Book
Lord, for to-morrow and its needs,
I do not pray;
Keep me, my God, from stain of sin
Just for to-day.

Let me both diligently work,
And duly pray.
Let me be kind in word and deed,
Just for to-day.

Let me be slow to do my will,
Prompt to obey;
Help me to sacrifice myself
Just for to-day.

And if to-day my tide of life
Should ebb away,
Give me thy Sacraments divine,
Sweet Lord to-day.

So for to-morrow and its needs
I do not pray,
But keep me, guide me, love me, Lord,
Just for to-day. Amen.

November 22, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Majestic King
By Teresa of Avila (1515-82)
Majestic King, for ever wise,
You melt my heart, which once was cold,
And when your beauty fills my eyes
It makes them young, which once were old.

Christ, my creator, hear my cry,
I am an yours, you can I hear,
My Savior, Lover, yours am I,
My heart to yours be ever near.

Whether in life or death's last hour,
If sickness, pain or health you give,
Or shame, or honor, weakness, power,
Thankful is the life I live. Amen.

November 21, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Give Me, Good Lord
Thomas More (1478-1535)
Glorious God, give me grace to amend my life, and to have an eye to my end without begrudging death, which to those who die in you, good Lord, is the gate of a wealthy life.

And give me, good Lord, a humble, lowly, quiet, peaceable, patient, charitable, kind, tender and pitiful mind, in all my works and all my words and all my thoughts, to have a taste of your holy, blessed Spirit.

Give me, good Lord, a full faith, a firm hope, and a fervent charity, a love of you incomparably above the love of myself.

Give me, good Lord, a longing to be with you, not to avoid the calamities of this world, nor so much to attain the joys of heaven, as simply for love of you.

And give me, good Lord, your love and favor, which my love of you, however great it might be, could not deserve were it not for your great goodness.

These things, good Lord, that I pray for, give me your grace to labor for.

November 20, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

God With Me
Celtic Prayer
God with me lying down,
God with me rising up,
God with me in each ray of light,
Nor I a ray of joy without Him,
Nor one ray without Him.

Christ with me sleeping,
Christ with me waking,
Christ with me watching,
Every day and night,
Each day and night.

God with me protecting,
The Lord with me directing,
The Spirit with me strengthening,
For ever and for evermore,
Ever and evermore,

Amen.

Chief of chiefs, Amen.

November 19, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Angelic Hymn
From Orthodox Book of Common Prayers
Just as the exalted angels and the Arch-angels of heaven, sing praises to Thee, so like them, we frail and earthly ones, glorify Thee and say at all times, and in all moments.

Glory be to God on High, and on earth peace and concord and good hope to men.

We praise Thee,
We glorify Thee,
We worship Thee,
We raise to Thee songs of praise.

We praise Thee, for the greatness of Thy glory,
O Lord Creator, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty
And Thee, O Lord God only begotten Son, Jesus Christ
And Thee O Holy Spirit.

O Lord God, Lamb of God,
Son and word of the Father,
who bearest and hast borne the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.

Thou who hearest,
and hast borne the sins of the world,
please listen to us and accept our prayer.

Thou who sittest in glory,
at the right hand of the Father,
have compassion and mercy upon us.

Thou art alone the holy, O Lord, Jesus Christ,
Thou and the Holy Spirit are the only worthy
to receive the glory of God, the Father.

We praise Thy Holy Name at all times,
and in all the days of our lives.
Thou Name will be blessed for ever.

Almighty God, God of our fathers,
blessed art Thou,
and glorious is Thy Name,
and exalted by praises for ever and ever.

Meeting with Thee is glory;
Becoming to Thee is praise;
Befitting to Thee is adoration,
O God of all, the Father of Truth,
with Thine Only-begotten Son,
and the living Holy Spirit,
now and always,
for ever and ever.

Amen.

November 18, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer To The Holy Spirit
Inspired by the Latin hymn Veni Sancti Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit, pour out of the depths of the Trinity a ray of Your light-that light which enlightens our minds and, at the same time, strengthens our wills to pursue the light.

Come, Father of the poor, the poor in spirit, whom You love to fill with the fullness of God.

You are not only Giver of gifts, but Giver of Yourself, the supreme Gift-the Gift of the Father and the Son.

You are the best consoler! What a charming Guest You make! Your conversation, though all in silence, is sweetness itself. How refreshing Your consolation! Soothing like a caress. In an instant You dissipate all doubt and sadness.

In the labor of fighting temptation, you are there promising victory. Your presence is our victory. You gently coax our timid hearts to trust in You.

In the greatest of labors, the struggle of self-surrender, You are our repose-our peace in the depth of our souls.

In the heat of battle, Your breath is cooling, calming our rebellious passions, quieting our fears when it looks like defeat. You dry our tears when we fall. It is You who give the grace of compunction and the sure hope of pardon.

Oh deliriously happy Light! Fill to the uttermost recesses the hearts of Your faithful children!

Without You, there is no divine life in us, no virtue at all. If your breath is cut off, our spirit perishes; nor can it live again until You press Your lips to our mouths and breathe into them the breath of life.

Your touch is as dew, but You act with a strong hand. Gentle as the softest breeze, You are also in the whirlwind.

Like a giant furnace blast, You dry up all our faculties-but only to melt the hardness of our hearts.

You cast us before You like dead leaves in the winter's gale-but only to set our feet upon the narrow way.

Now, as a mighty Wind coming, pour down torrents to wash away our sins. Drench with grace our dried out hearts. Soothe the wounds You have cauterized.
Give to all who trust in You-with that true trust which only You can give-Your seven sacred Gifts.

Grant the reward of virtue; that is, Your very Self! Grant perseverance to the end! And then, everlasting joy!

Amen.

Source: Thomas Keating: Open Mind Open Heart - The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel, Continuum, New York

November 17, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

A Prayer By Saint Hildegard of Bingen
O budded, greening branch!
You stand as firmly rooted in your nobility

As the dawn advances.
Now rejoice and be glad.

Consider us frail ones worthy
To free us from our destructive ways.

Put forth your hand and
Raise us up. Amen.

November 16, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Healing Prayer by Marianne Williamson
Dear God,
Be my redeemer, my internal teacher, my divine physician.
Thank You for your presence in my life.

I surrender to You all I am, all I think, all I feel, and all I have.
I recognize in this moment that Yours is the power to heal and make whole.
You who have the power to work miracles,
You who rule time and space, please take me in Your arms and hold me.

Dear Lord, please lift me up and heal me.
Cast out of my mind all thoughts that are not of You.
Cast out of me all harsh and critical nature.
Cast out of me all violence and all anger.
Cast out of me all demons from my past.
For I would be made new.

I wish to walk so close to You that we might be as one.
I ask for new life, new mind, new body, new spirit.
Dear God, please come into me and release me from this pain.

Amen.

November 15, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

I love You for being You, God!
God, I love Your creativity -

The way You can fill an ordinary day with momentous experiences;
Your ability to turn a bad situation into an occasion for growth;
Your mercy which transforms episodes of sin into encounters with salvation.

I love Your affinity for beauty.
I love Your sense of humor.
I love Your steadfast presence.
I love Your vulnerability.
I love Your comfort.
I love Your commitment to community.
I love Your favor for underdogs.
I love Your passion for ministry, for peace, and for revelation.
I love what You do and who You are.
I love You for being You, God!

Thanks you and Amen.

Novmeber 14, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

An Irish Prayer of Blessing (this is my prayer for you today...may it be your prayer for someone else!)


May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm on your face,

The rain fall softly on your fields;

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Amen and Amen.

November 13, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Thanksgiving Prayer: Christian

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we, thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men;

We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honor and glory, world without end.

Amen.

November 12, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Where there is charity and wisdom

Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.
Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor vexation.
Where there is poverty and joy, there is neither greed nor avarice.
Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.

Saint Francis Of Assisi

Gracious God, grant to us this day what we need. Allow us to recognize that which is of You and avoid those things that stand in our way of our relationship with you and others. Amen.

November 11, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Irish Prayer:

May there always be work for your hands to do
May your purse always hold a coin or two

May the sun always shine upon your windowpane
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain

May the hand of a friend always be near to you and
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Amen!

November 10, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Saint Benedict : Prayer for Guidance

O gracious and holy Father,
Give us wisdom to perceive you,
intelligence to understand you,
diligence to seek you,
patience to wait for you,
eyes to see you,
a heart to meditate on you,
and a life to proclaim you,
through the power of the spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

November 9, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer In Time Of Suffering

Behold me, my beloved Jesus, weighed down under the burden of my trials and sufferings, I cast myself at Your feet, that You may renew my strength and my courage, while I rest here in Your Presence.

Permit me to lay down my cross in Your Sacred Heart, for only Your infinite goodness can sustain me; only Your love can help me bear my cross; only Your powerful hand can lighten its weight.
O Divine King, Jesus, whose heart is so compassionate to the afflicted, I wish to live in You; suffer and die in You. During my life be to me my model and my support; at the hour of my death, be my hope and my refuge.

Amen.

November 8, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer Of Spouses For Each Other

Lord Jesus, grant that I and my spouse may have a true and understanding love for each other. Grant that we may both be filled with faith and trust. Give us the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony. May we always bear with one another's weaknesses and grow from each other's strengths. Help us to forgive one another's failings and grant us patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of self.
May the love that brought us together grow and mature with each passing year. Bring us both ever closer to You through our love for each other. Let our love grow to perfection.
Amen.

November 7, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Thanksgiving For A Favor Received

Thank You, O God, for hearing my prayer and granting my request. Thank You for all the kindness You have shown me.

Thank You, Father, for Your great love in giving me my life, for Your great patience in preserving me despite my sinfulness, for Your protection in the past and for the opportunity to serve and honor You in the future.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for keeping me numberless times from sin and death by the toils of Your life, the sufferings of Your Passion, and by Your victorious Resurrection.

Thank You, Holy Spirit of God, for bestowing so many graces upon my soul and for having so frequently renewed Your life within me.

May my life, from now on, be a sign of my greatfulness. Amen.

November 6, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, heal me.
Blood of Christ, drench me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

Good Jesus, hear me.

In your wounds shelter me.
From turning away keep me.
From the evil one protect me.
At the hour of me death call me.
Into your presence lead me,
to praise you with all your saints
for ever and ever.
Amen.

November 5, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace
Saint Francis of Assisi

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.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much 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 awake to eternal life.
Amen.

November 4, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer for Help
(From: Praying God's Promises)

Lord God, you are everything to me. My spirit rejoices in you, my Savior. Thank you for seeking me when I was lost and for finding me. Thank you for choosing me to go forth and bear lasting fruit in your name. Thank you for enabling me to bear fruit for you, Lord. Without you, I can do nothing.

You are good, O Lord, and you are always ready to forgive. Thank you for your plentiful mercy in my life which I always receive when I call upon you. You are always there to help me; therefore, I will never be confounded. I have set my face like a flint, and I know that you will never let me be ashamed.

You truly are a very present help to me, and I am receiving your help even now as I pray. Thank you, Father. You are my refuge and strength, and because this is true, I will not fear anything or anyone.

You are in my midst, and I will not be moved. You are always there to help me speedily. You are with me, Lord. Knowing this, I will be still. I know that you are my God. Thank you for your constant help in my life, Lord.

Amen.

November 3, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

A Prayer For The Business/Occupation
By William Carr Peel

Lord, We Affirm. ..
You are the Lord of the work place as well as the worship place.
All work that meets legitimate needs is Your work to be done in Your way.
Prosperity that comes from our work is a gift from You to be used for Your glory, not our ease.
While You made all things for us to enjoy, true satisfaction comes only from You.

Lord, We Confess. ..
We have at times been proud and arrogant about success, thinking it was because we were smarter, better, or worked harder than others.
We have sometimes placed success above integrity and power above people. This is sin in every instance.
We have often let our love of prosperity quench our courage and compassion.
We have kept You too often at a safe distance, mentally locked in the church building away from our daily affairs. How we could have used Your strength, guidance, and love at times if we had only known You are as real a part of our lives on Monday as You are on Sunday.

Lord, We Ask That. ..
We, as businessmen, would live ethically distinctive lives, both publicly and privately.
We would assume the discipline of craftsmanship, working with all our heart as if You were our boss-because You are.
We would discover what we are each gifted to do, finding the delight and joy of doing what You created us for.
Others would see the reality of Your presence in our lives and be attracted to You.

Amen.

November 2, 2010

Prayer of Healing
(From: Praying God's Promises)

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for you are my praise.

I praise you, mighty Father.

You forgive all my iniquities, and you heal all my diseases.

Thank you, Lord. When I am sick, you send your Word, and it heals me and delivers me from all destructions.

Your Word is life to me, and it brings healing to my flesh.

Thank you for the healing power of your Word, Father.

I will never let it depart from my eyes.

I will keep your Word deeply implanted within my heart.

Praise your name, holy Father.

I love you, and I thank you for healing me and keeping me in good health.

Amen.

November 1, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer for Others
By Bernie Smith
Meditations on Prayer

I cannot make the sparrow fly,
Nor can I understand
What makes the clouds hang in the sky,
But I know One who can.

I cannot make the ocean waves
Dash forth against the land;
I cannot help the soul that craves,
But I know One who can.

I cannot hear the humble prayers
Of those of foreign clans;
I cannot ease their wants and cares,
But I know One who can.

I cannot lead the erring ones
With mine own trembling hand;
Nor yet restore the hope that's gone,
But I know One who can.

I cannot see the broken hearts
That long for joy again;
Nor can I mend the broken parts,
But I know One who can.

I cannot heal the many ills
That come so oft to man;
I cannot give the joy that fills,
But I know One who can.

I cannot know why trials fall
Within our life's short span;
But my God understands it all,
And He's the One who can!

Amen.