I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

Sometimes, just giving it to you straight from the mouth of the Lord is the best message I can offer…

Jesus said to his disciples:
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”

Well, maybe I will share just a one thought.  I have been very busy at work and feeling the stress of  numerous deadlines coming fast – one of which is the 31st and things weren’t looking good for me finishing the bid.  So I did what Christ told me to do.  I said a prayer on my way into work yesterday for God to offer some assistance – any assistance in trying to get it done, remembering this line that has been repeated a number of times this week…so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.  I had already missed one deadline on this project – any technical questions regarding the scope of work were to have been submitted by May 22nd.  Here it was May 23rd and I had a list of questions I was gathering but I had not finished reviewing the entire specification so I delayed submitting the questions.  On my way into work yesterday morning, during my daily rosary, the thought came to mind to submit immediately the questions I had and to add one additional question – will GM grant a bid extension.  (I have come to realize when I have thoughts like that during prayer – it is from the Holy Spirit, so I do what the Spirit inspires me to do.)  It was about 5 AM when I sent the questions in for review/response.  A few hours later I was talking to my general foreman (at the GM plant) and as our conversation was ending he made a comment along the lines of I bet you were happy that they extended the bid date, eh?  I was a bit surprised by his question because I had not received any emails to that effect.  He forwarded me a group email sent yesterday to everyone involved with the project (I eventually found mine in the junk email) stating that the bid date would be extended to June 7th.  Needless to say, I smiled rather extensively yesterday afternoon.  I asked in the Lord’s name and the Father granted me my request.  I’m sure you will all join me in prayer this morning – in Jesus’ name – Father, what are the winning lottery numbers for this week?

Just joking, I think I’ll try this response instead…

R. (10a) I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn.
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Do something great for our Lord today – ask, receive graciously, then praise God unceasingly – for it is from God that all blessings (and bid extensions) flow freely.

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.

He must increase; I must decrease.