Frank J Casella's photos

The other day when I was on Twitter a quote I saw from sales guru hit me: You become what you think about all day long. It made me ponder on what I think about every day, which lead me to realize how much my thinking, and lifestyle, has changed over the years. I used to be more selfish, helping and serving others with the end motive of serving my own needs and ego, and praying for my own needs -- talking to God more than listening. St. Francis says [that] it is through giving that we receive, and I took it literal. Today, when I give of myself I do not look for what I receive, because the real gift is how God is blessing others through me .. which I may never see. My agenda has become Gods agenda. Said another way, I live my life as a prayer. If we focus our attention on bad news and gossip, and distractions, we will miss God's incredible, visionary, optimistic purpose for every believer: to grow so much in our faith that we shine like beacons to everyone around us! God's vision for each church is that we would grow so much in our love for God that we'd love people the way He loves them: unconditionally and passionately. He want's us to be filled up with Christ's grace, truth, and purpose so that everything we do will reflect Him to those around us. I assure you, the longer you look at Jesus on that Cross, the more He will speak to you about who you are and how you can become more Holy. The greatest image I have of my late father is how he prayed the rosary, looking at the Cross, each morning in a room with only the window light , just him and God, before leaving for work. The greatest image my children say they have of me is how I kiss the crucifix each morning as soon as I wake up. What they do not see is how often I spend just gazing at it in holy contemplation. "If a hypocrite is standing between you and God, it just means the hypocrite is closer to God than you are." -- Zig Ziglar

Best viewed on black: Press "Z" key or click/tap image. "I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." -- Phil. 4:12-13 Thanks for reading. Frank www.ipernity.com/doc/frankjcasella/album/1216008 Processed in PicMonkey. Made with Pentax K-10D, and SMC Pentax-DA* 50-135 f/2.8

When you train your dog with leadership and love, he looks at you with dog eyes of trust and love back.

Use the " Z " key or click image to view on Black. The Carbide & Carbon Building is a 37-story, 503 feet (153 m) landmark Art Deco skyscraper built in 1929, located on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

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Read my latest blog post - HOW TO MAKE DOCUMENTARY PICTURES OF CANDID MOMENTS - www.ipernity.com/blog/frankjcasella/4714040

It's important to have family and friends. Sometimes, though, our friends are more like family, and our family can be more like friends. It all depends on what we need from ... or give to ... each other. The people around us most influence where and how we go in life, and us with them. So, it's wise to pick and choose who we spend most our time with. Life is too short .... ----- Read my blog post with this picture: THE POWER OF A PHOTO SHARING COMMUNITY - www.ipernity.com/blog/frankjcasella/4713812

Fisrt Chicago Blizzard 2012