Saturday's and Sunday's Positive Thread

gloriajean — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 03:22:50 GMT

Going to the Family Reunion - staying overnight!

See opportunity in your difficulties, not difficulty in your opportunities.
Lord, I will focus on the goodness today brings to me and look for the
many reasons I have to feel joy.

Scripture for the day:

"Be still and know that I am God." ~Psalm 46:10

Meditation for the day:

We need not become encumbered by petty annoyances. We need not
respond to emotional upsets by emotional upset. It is best for us to keep
calm in all circumstances. We need not fight back. We can call on the
grace of God to calm us when we feel like retaliating. We can look to
God for the inner strength to drop those resentments that drag us down.
If we are burdened by annoyances, we can lose our inward peace and the
spirit of God can be shut out. We can try to keep peaceful within.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may do the things that make for peace. I pray that I may
have a mission of conciliation.

Hello my friends! I know I'll be too busy to get out Sunday's thread in the
morning, so I'm doing both here right now - hope you don't mind. Today's
blessings were being at Ollie's first training session, he's the only dog
so that went well - and I so enjoyed being there with Lori - and another
blessing was that Linus made supper and it was all ready when we got home,
chicken on the grill, a wonderful cucumber salad and wine! Then after
supper Lori and I played the bean bag game outside - we played ball with
Ollie too, it was so much fun!
During the day we worked hard with cleaning etc. so this was a wonderful way
to end the day - and the weather was wonderful! I have lots to do yet
tonight, have a very good and blessed weekend in all that you do!! Praying
for you all and thanks for your prayers for us.

WORTHLESS...PRICELESS
Author Unknown

"You are worth more than many sparrows." - Luke. 12: 7

I give my all to a project. Still, I fail. I strive to be holy. Yet,
I sin. I serve the Lord to the best that I can and for this I have been
persecuted, ridiculed, insulted, maligned, suspected, charged,
conspired against, ganged-on, crushed, chopped, ground, pulverized.
I am a loser. I am a worm. I am worthless.

Then, my son comes up to me and tells me, "You know, Dad, I'm
the luckiest boy in the world. Why? Because you're my Dad! You're a
good man, Dad! You're the best!

Then, my wife sits down with me and shares, "Love, Auntie just
called up to tell me that the best decision I made in life is to
marry you. And she's right. I can't imagine life without you."

Then, my mom calls me up and with a croaking, crying voice, she
whispers, "I love you. I'm so proud of you. You've made our family
whole and complete!"

Then, I close my eyes, shed a tear, and pray, "Thank you, God,
for making me a very, very important person."
I AM A WINNER. I AM LOVED. I AM PRICELESS!

Believing in People

A wealthy businessman in a small town had signs
printed and placed all over the town. They stated
that if any person in the town who owed debts,
would come to his office on a certain day between
nine and twelve in the morning, he would pay
those debts. Naturally, that promise was the talk
of the town. But very few believed it. They
thought there was a catch somewhere.

The day came. The business man sat in his office
at nine. By ten, no one had come. At eleven, a
man was seen walking up and down outside,
occasionally looking up at the office door.
Finally he seemed to take courage and open it. He
put his head in and asked, "Is it true that you
will pay any person's debt?"

"That's right," the rich man replied. "Are you in
debt?" "I certainly am," the caller answered. "Do
you have along the bills and statements to prove
it?"

The visitor produced the documents and the
business man wrote out a check covering all of
them. Before twelve o'clock, two other men came
and had their debts paid. People outside could
not believe it. But now there was no time left to
have their bills paid.

If people don't believe in the goodness of man,
how can they believe in the goodness of God?

Food for Thought:
Matthew 11:28 Jesus said"Come to me all who are weary, and I will
give you rest"

They build up under the surface of the water, becoming
larger and larger as the moments tick away. Then they crest, roll
over, make a very loud noise, bubble and foam, then finally dissipate.
This is the pattern of the wave as I have observed it .Waves at the
beach are never ending. One is gone, and the next rolls in, one after
another. Some are larger and louder than others, but they keep
rolling into shore.

I believe life’s problems are like that. They build up,
peak, and dissipate. They may be large, small, or in-between, but they
keep on coming. They may crash your life with a resounding bang or
make a more soft and subtle noise, but they keep on coming. They may
deal with emotions, health, finances, family relationships, or a
variety of other difficulties one must face in a lifetime. This
unending load gets heavy after awhile, and the waves of life can beat
away at a person the same as ocean waves pound at the shoreline.

Jesus has told us to come to Him with our burdens and He
will give us rest. He said to cast our cares upon Him, for He cares
for us. He said He would send the Holy Spirit to be our comforter and
guide; to give us wisdom and the strength to survive the battering
waves of life. He promised this in the Bible and I believe it !

If the constant waves of life are beating you down,
depleting life’s energy out of you, like the grains of sand that are
pulled back into the ocean with each wave, call upon Jesus. He will
answer the call – you can count on Him.

THE JARS
Author Unknown
July 27, 2012

The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit. He
quoted 1 Samuel 16:7 'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man
looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"

These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and
can hold the same amount. But they are different, he explained.

Then he upset one and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other, and
vinegar spilled out. "When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out.

Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference was within, and
could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed.

Until we are upset we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal
our innermost thoughts and attitudes, for "out of the abundance of the heart
his mouth speaks ( Luke 6:45)

What if someone tipped you over today ??
What would flow out ??
Would you reveal the "honey" of grace and patience, or the "vinegar" of
anger and sarcasm ??

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of
sins" (1Peter 4:8)

Have a terrific day knowing that the one who upsets you may be just looking
for some honey

COME AS YOU ARE. NO JACKET REQUIRED
Author Unknown

I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place. After
all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an
invitation several times, by several different people, and I had
finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just
couldn't be the right place.

Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand.
I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required" and
found the location. Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through
the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow
with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and
appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant.

Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered
in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to
consume me and I couldn't shake the grime that clung to my body. As I
turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap
out at me..."Come as you are. No jacket required."

I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could
find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man
standing behind a podium. "Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile.

"Jimmy D. Brown," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep
into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains. He didn't seem to
notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, "Very good,
sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?"

I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I
said, "Yes, of course!" He lead me to a table and, sure enough, there
was a placard with my name written on it in a deep, dark red. As I
browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There were
things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence," "assurance,"
"hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy." I realized that this was no
ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order to
see where I was at... "God's Grace," was the name of this place.

The man returned and said, "I recommend the 'Special of the Day'. With
it you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu".
You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have
ALL of this! "What is the 'Special of the Day'?" I asked with
excitement ringing in my voice.

"Salvation," was his reply. "I'll take it," I practically cried out.
Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A
sick painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes.
Between my sobs I said... "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. I
am unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of this,
but, but, I just can't afford it."

Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been
taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said as he pointed to
the front of the room. "His name is Jesus."

Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He
was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and
in a shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep
the floors or take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay
You for all this."

He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours
if you just come unto me. Ask me to clean you up and I will. Ask me to
allow you to feast at my table and you will eat. Remember, the table
is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I
offer you."

Astonished, I fell at his feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean
up my life. Please change me and sit me at your table and give me this
new life."

Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished." I looked down and
white robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something strange and
wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had been lifted and
I found myself seated at His table

"The 'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to me.
"Salvation is yours." We sat and talked for a great while and I so
enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people,
that He would like for me to come back as often as I liked for another
helping from God's Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend
as much time with Him as possible.

As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world,"
He whispered to me softly, "And Lo, I am with you always." And then,
He said something to me that I will never forget. He said... "My
child, do you see these empty tables throughout this room?" "Yes,
Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied. "These are reserved
tables...but the individuals whose names are on each placard have not
accepted their invitation to dine. Would you be so kind as to hand out
these invitations to those who have not joined us as yet?" Jesus
asked.

"Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations.
"Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to leave I
walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My
righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a
brand new man...robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I'll keep
my promise to my Lord. I'll go. I'll spread the Word. I'll share the
Gospel... I'll hand out the invitations.

And I'll start with you.

Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your name,
and here's your invitation... "Come as you are. No jacket required."

"For by grace are you saved through faith: and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
Ephesians 2: 8,9

A Word of Kindness

Have I spoken a word of kindness today,
that would help someone find their way?

Did I tell him about Jesus who paid the cost?
Did I show him the way to the old rugged cross?

Was I there when he needed someone to pray
a little prayer that would brighten his day?

Did I pick him up when he stumbled and fell?
Did I tell him the pain of going to h ell?

Was I there with him to cast a smile
that would make his life a little worthwhile?

Did I try to make him understand
how God moves with a mighty hand?

And dear God, please let me know
if I am the one that I might show.

The way to bring someone to Thee
and tell him about Jesus who can set him free.

And as I praise thy name, I say,
"Dear Lord, let me show him the way!"

By Abel Norman

Morning Prayer

Lord God Almighty,
You have brought us safely to the beginning of this day.
Defend us today by your mighty power, that we may not fall into any sin,
but that all our words may so proceed and all our thoughts and actions be so
directed,
as to be always just in your sight.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Saturday's and Sunday's Positive Thread