Where I live in..

This world I live in
this town I live in 
this street I live in
this house I live in
may each be the focus of my prayer
Those I live with
those I rub shoulders with
those I work with
those I don't get on with
may each be the focus of my prayer
Those who laugh those who cry those who hurt
those who hide may each be the focus of my prayer
Prayers centered less on self and more on others
less on my circumstances
more on the needs of others.
May my life be likewise centered
less on self and more on You
and through You to the world
in which I live and move.
Within the circle of my family and friends
May I be a source of peace
a hand to hold accessible
generous loving A blessing Within the circle of my acquaintances
May I be a steady rock a ready shoulder dependable
trustworthy caring A blessing Within the circle of my community
May I be a light that shines a love that flows
discernible accessible healing
A blessing

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Discovering 21 Century /Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778

A Prayer for Work

Eternal and everlasting God, who has ordained that all should work for their daily bread, show me the work that you have appointed for me.

You know the things that I need. Help me find the honest task that will allow me to get them.

Let me not despise my work, even if it be small. Help me to do it so well, that it may please you, and, that I may obtain a better one.

I am part of your great world that you have made. Give me a place in its work, that I may have enough for my own needs and the needs of those who depend on me. Give me grace to be able to help others who have less.

Please Dear God, hear my prayer.
Amen.

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Discovering 21 Century /Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778

HEBREWS 12:5 Through 11

Some people have a hard time even thinking
of God  as "Father" because of the horrible
abuse they suffered
from their earthly fathers' hands. 
But God is a Father who never abuses
His children, although He does punish them.
He chastens those whom He loves.
It is wise for the child of God to fear the corrective wrath of the Father.
I loved my earthly father deeply.

In fact, I idolized him. I was secure in his love as
he was constant in showing affection for me.
I feared him in the sense that I didn't want to disappoint him
or let him down. 
I had the "fear" of respect for him.
But I also feared his wrath and discipline.
Even though, in general, I didn't want to disappoint him
or grieve him, nevertheless I often disobeyed him.
That meant facing his discipline.
When my father disciplined me he always announced
it to me by saying, "Son, we have to have a session." 
That meant I had to follow him into his office,

close the door behind me, and sit in a chair in front of him.
He wouldn't raise his voice.
He would calmly tell me what I did wrong and why it was wrong.
He instructed me in such a way that I was devastated.
He always ended the session with a warm embrace.
But talk about the conviction of sin...whew!
Are you able to accept correction from your Heavenly Father? 
Do you respond to it properly? 
Pray about this.
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that
 addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the 

Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.
For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
 Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and
peace for those who have been trained by it.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

I DID NOT KNOW HIS LOVE BEFORE

I did not know His love before,
The way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him,
My pride would not allow.

I had it all, without a care,
The "self-sufficient" lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still,
Not a cloud was in my sky.
I thought I knew His love for me,
I thought I'd seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow,
I thought I'd found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark,
The storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship,
I found I had no hold.
The ship that I had built myself
Was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare,
With nowhere else to hide
I had no strength or faith to face
The trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply spoke His name
And bowed my weary head.
His loving arms enveloped me,

And then He helped me stand.

He said, "You still must face this storm,

But I will hold your hand."

So through the dark and lonely night

He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day
Or when I'd smile again.
Yet through the pain and endless tears,
My faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time,
But my light began to glow.
I saw God's love in a brand new light,
His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone
Could Jesus' love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm,
I sometimes wondered why.
At times I thought, "I can't go on."
I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But God never left my side
He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife, through fire and flood,
He helped me all the way.


And now I see as never before
How great His love can be
How in my weakness He is strong,
How God cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good,
Although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear,
And then He said, "Enough!"
He raised His hand and said, "Be still!"
He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy
And flooded me with peace.

I saw His face now clearer still,

I felt His presence strong,

I found anew His faithfulness,

He never did me wrong.

And now I know more storms will come,
But only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow
As nothing ever could.
I still have so much more to learn
As God works in me;
If in the storm I'll love Him more,
That's where I want to be!
Author Unknown But To God

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Thank you !!!

Thank you Lord God for the opportunity of worship
for the freedom to be amongst your family
meeting together in your house
and in the warmth of your embrace
Thank you those in worship we can put aside
the uncertainties of this world and rest
upon the certainties of the Kingdom
for your promises are not changeable
as those of a politician might be
but immovable and eternal
Thank you that we can bring to your feet
all the hurts and fears that trouble us
and leave them there
knowing that your strength and assurance
are all that we require
Thank you that as we draw near in worship
we are transported
from a world of concerns and fears
to a place where we can be at peace in your presence
find healing, wholeness and refreshment.
Thank you Lord God for the opportunity of worship

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Blessed are...

Blessed are they who give
without expecting even thanks in return,
for they shall be abundantly rewarded.

Blessed are they who translate
every good thing they know into action,
for ever higher truths shall be revealed unto them.

Blessed are they who do God's will
without asking to see results,
for great shall be their recompense.

Blessed are they who love and trust their fellow beings,
for they shall reach the good in people and
receive a loving response.

Blessed are they who have seen reality, for they know
that not the garment of clay but that which activates
the garment of clay is real and indestructible.

Blessed are they who see the change we call death
as a liberation from the limitation of this earth-life,
for they shall rejoice with their loved ones
who make the glorious transition.

Blessed are they who after dedicating their lives
and thereby receiving a blessing, have the courage and faith
to surmount the difficulties of the path ahead,
for they shall receive a second blessing.

Blessed are they who advance toward the spiritual path
without the selfish motive of seeking inner peace,
for they shall find it.

Blessed are they who instead of trying to
batter down the gates of the kingdom of heaven
approach them humbly and lovingly and purified,
for they shall pass right through.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

You are Perfect, My Lord

We can never match
your perfection, Lord
Try as we might
we stumble and fall
grasping for that
which we feel is
unobtainable
We are nothing
if not consistent
in our falling
from your grace
For you are perfect love
and we most certainly are not
Perfect love casts out fear
and we are fearful
fearful
of the unknown
fearful
of failure
'Son, I never ask
for the impossible
I never set a goal
that cannot be reached,
a mountain that cannot be climbed
even by those of a nervous disposition.
All I ask is that you come to me as you are
at this moment in time
and accept me as I AM.
There is no part of you
that cannot be made clean
renewed, restored.
I will never stumble, I always
hold out your hand instead.
That's not too much to ask
is it?

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

The Rosary

Jim Castle was tired when he boarded his plane in Cincinnati , Ohio , that night in 1981. 
The 45-year-old management consultant had put on a week long series of
business meetings and seminars, and now he sank gratefully into his seat
 ready for the flight home to Kansas City, Missouri .
As more passengers entered, the place hummed with 
conversation, mixed with the sound of bags being stowed. 
Then, suddenly, people fell silent. 
The quiet moved slowly up the aisle like an invisible wake behind a boat. 
Jim craned his head to see what was happening, and his mouth dropped open.

Walking up the aisle were two nuns clad in simple white habits bordered in blue.
He recognized the familiar face of one at once, the wrinkled skin, and the eyes warmly intent. 
This was a face he'd seen in newscasts and on the cover of TIME. 
The two nuns halted, and Jim realized that his seat companion was going to be Mother Teresa!
As the last few passengers settled in, Mother Teresa and her companion pulled out rosaries.
 Each decade of the beads was a different color, Jim noticed. 
The decades represented various areas of the world, Mother Teresa told him later, and added,
 'I pray for the poor and dying on each continent.'
The airplane taxied to the runway and the two women began to pray,
their voices a low murmur. 
Though Jim considered himself not a very religious Catholic who went to church mostly out of habit, inexplicably he found himself joining in.
By the time they murmured the final prayer, the plane had reached cruising altitude. 
Mother Teresa turned toward him. 
For the first time in his life, Jim understood what people meant when they spoke of a person possessing an 'aura'. 
As she gazed at him, a sense of peace filled him; he could no more see it than he could see the wind but he felt it, just as surely as he felt a warm summer breeze.
'Young man,' she inquired, 'do you say the rosary often?' 'No, not really,' he admitted.
She took his hand, while her eyes probed his. 
Then she smiled.  
'Well, you will now.' 
And she dropped her rosary into his palm.

An hour later Jim entered the Kansas City airport where he was met by his wife, Ruth.  
'What in the world?' Ruth asked when she noticed the rosary in his hand. 
They kissed and Jim described his encounter.
Driving home, he said. 
'I feel as if I met a true sister of God.'
Nine months later Jim and Ruth visited Connie, a friend of theirs for several years. 
Connie confessed that she'd been told she had ovarian cancer. 'The doctor says it's a tough case,' said Connie, 'but I'm going to fight it. I won't give up.' 
Jim clasped her hand.

Then, after reaching into his pocket, he gently twined Mother Teresa's rosary around her fingers. 
He told her the story and said, 'Keep it with you Connie. It may help.'
Although Connie wasn't Catholic, her hand closed willingly around the small plastic beads.  
'Thank you,' she whispered. 
'I hope I can return it.'
More than a year passed before Jim saw Connie again. 
This time her face was glowing, she hurried toward him and handed him the rosary.
'I carried it with me all year,' she said.
'I've had surgery and have been on chemotherapy, too. Last month, the doctors did second-look surgery, and the tumor's gone. Completely!' 
Her eyes met Jim's. 'I knew it was time to give the rosary back.'

In the fall of 1987, Ruth's sister, Liz, fell into a deep 
depression after her divorce. She asked Jim if she 
could borrow the rosary, and when he sent it, she hung it
 over her bedpost in a small velvet bag. 
At night I held on to it, just physically held on. I was so lonely and 
afraid,' she says, 'yet when I gripped that rosary, I felt as if I held 
a loving hand.'
Gradually, Liz pulled her life together, and she mailed the rosary back.
 'Someone else may need it,' she said.

Then one night in 1988, a stranger telephoned Ruth. 
She'd heard about the rosary from a neighbor and asked if she could borrow it to take to the hospital where her mother lay in a coma. 
The family hoped the rosary might help their mother die peacefully. 
A few days later, the woman returned the beads. 
'The nurses told me a coma patient can still hear,' she said, 'so 
I explained to my mother that I had Mother Teresa's rosary and that when I gave it to her she could let go; it would be all rosary in her hand.
Right away, we saw her face relax. 
The lines smoothed out until she looked so peaceful, so young.
' The woman's voice caught. 'A few minutes later she was gone.'

Fervently, she gripped Ruth's hands. 
'Thank you.'
Is there special power in those humble beads? 
Or is the power of the human spirit simply renewed in
 each person who borrows the rosary? Jim only knows that requests continue to come, often unexpectedly. 
He always responds though, whenever he lends the rosary, 'When you're through needing it, send it back. Someone else may need it.'
Jim's own life has changed, too, since his unexpected meeting on the airplane. 
When he realized Mother Teresa carries everything she owns in a small bag, he made an effort to simplify his own life.
'I try to remember what really counts - not money or titles or possessions, but the way we love others,' he says.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY, MAY MOTHER MARY ASK HER SON JESUS TO SHOWER YOU WITH GRACES.


Please feel free to pass this mail on, especially to all those in despair so that they might know that they are not alone in their hour of need.

The reason I sent you this mail is because I know the power of the prayers of these simple beads and I wanted to share it with you.

Every sacrifice has a fruitful reward. Every failure has a second chance.

We only have to be strong thru God's grace and persevere in life's many tests! May GOD bless you always.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

I have no excuses

I make excuses for the sins that I commit,
But when I'm honest my excuses just don't fit.
If my sins are so little, why did Christ need to die?If they don't matter, why was the penalty so high?
Dear Lord, keep me aware of the price You paid,
How You suffered, bled and died because my sins on You were laid.
Help me to be careful in the things I say or do,
To show unto others less of me and more of You.
Help me to serve You gladly because of what You've done for me.
I know my only freedom came when from sin You set me free.
So many years of bondage serving self with me as lord,
Having doubts and fears and worry as my daily reward.
You came and with Your forgiveness came a life of utter joy,
There's peace and love and happiness in being in Your employ.
I beg You to always keep me in the center of Your will,
And point out any wrong or sinful things by Your tender voice so still.
I have no excuse for the sinful things I do,
Your Word tells me that and I know Your Word is true.
I thank You for forgiving me and for dying in my place,
I wouldn't stand a chance You see if it wasn't for Your grace.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Read it to the end

There are people who can walk away from you.

And hear me when I tell you this! 

When people can walk away from you: let them walk. 

I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. 

I mean hang up the phone. 

When people can walk away from you let them walk. 

Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. 

The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19] 
People leave you because they are not joined to you. 
And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. 
 Let them go.
And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. 
And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead.. 
You've got to know when it's dead. 
You've got to know when it's over. 
Let me tell you something.. 
I've got the gift of good-bye. 
It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye.. 
It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever 
God means for me to have He'll give it to me. 
And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. 
Stop begging people to stay.
Let them go!! 
If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you 
and was never intended for your life, then you need to...... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ....... LET IT GO!!! 

If 

someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...... LET IT GO!!! 

 
If someone has angered you. LET IT GO!!! 
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge..... LET IT GO!!! 
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction... .. LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents LET IT GO!!!
If you! u have a bad attitude.... ... LET IT GO!!! 
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better...... LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him......... LET IT GO!!! 

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship. .... LET IT GO!!! 

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves.. .... LET IT GO!!! 

If you're feeling depressed and stressed ............ LET IT GO!!! 

 If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to...... LET IT GO!!! '

The Battle is the Lord's!' During the next 60 seconds, Stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity... (Literally it is only ONE minute!) All you have to do is the following: You simply say 'The Lords Prayer' for the person that hurt you the most and LET IT GO!!!
The Lords Prayer 
Our Father, who are in Heaven, 
Hallowed be Thy Name, 
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. 
Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as 
we forgive those who trespass against us. 
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. 
For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever. 
 Amen.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

WHAT IS A FRIEND?

Your Heart is... your Love
Your love is... your Family
Your family is... your Future
Your future is... your Destiny
Your destiny is... your Ambition
Your ambition is... your Aspiration
Your aspiration is... your Motivation
Your motivation is... your Belief
Your belief is... your Peace
Your peace is...your Target
Your target is... Heaven
God Bless you always...

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TO KNOW GOD IS ULTIMATE WISDOM

! A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6. 
A baseball in Roger Clemens' hands is worth $475 million.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Andre Agassi's hands is worth millions.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A slingshot in my hands is a kid's toy.
A slingshot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will
Produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.
As you see now, it depends whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because...
It depends whose hands it's in.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

I Am A 'Kept' Woman.

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind, but GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)
There were times when I thought I could go no longer, but the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, but the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Psa. 13)
Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough, but GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up. When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me! I'm blessed to be 'kept.'
Are you...or do you know a 'kept' woman?
If so pass it on to her to let her know she is 'Kept.'

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Discovering 21 Century /Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778