Friday's Positive Thread

gloriajean — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 05:31:38 GMT

With our blessings come responsibilities. Much is required of those to whom
much has been given. Lord, may I use my blessings to be a blessing to
others.

S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y

"I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me,
hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who
seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Guard me as the
apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." ~Psalm 17:6-8

M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y

Our need can be God's opportunity. First we can recognize our need. Often
this means helplessness before some weakness or sickness and an admission of
our need for help. Next can come faith in the power of God's spirit,
available to us to meet that need. Before any need is met, our faith can
find expression. That expression of faith is all God needs to manifest
God's power in our lives. Faith can be the key that unlocks the storehouse
of God's resources.

P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y

I pray that I may first admit my needs. I pray that then I may have faith
that God will meet those needs, in the way which is best for me.

Hello my friends! Today was a good day! Beautiful weather for driving out
to see our friend, Fr. David, and we met at the restaurant, and he bought
some Lighthouse for both his parishes. We had a great visit with him! Such
a good man and friend. We drove right by the farm I grew up on - so
different - so very different, I had a lump in my throat - new house, new
buildings etc. the only thing that remained the same was our pond right by
the road. How I loved that farm - so many memories - I lived there 19
years. From there we moved to the town we are in now, and I loved it here
too, could take the bus wherever I wanted to go, and we lived walking
distance to our Church, and had a great pastor etc. - and here in this town
is where I met my husband - at a dance. Praying for all of you for all
your needs - thanks for your prayers for us!!

My prayer for all of you

When you're lonely
I pray you feel God's love.
When you're down
I pray God gives you joy.
When you're troubled
I pray you know God's peace.
When things are complicated
I pray you find simple beauty.
When things are chaotic
I pray you are given inner silence.
When things look empty
I pray you know hope in Jesus.

A man came to his counselor in great distress. He was a shopkeeper and they
had opened a supermarket right across the street from him. It would
eventually drive him out of business. His family had owned the shop for over
a hundred years, and to lose it would be his undoing, for there was nothing
else he was skilled at. What should he do?

The counselor said, "If you fear the owner of the supermarket, you will hate
him. And hatred will be your undoing. Here is what you are to do: every
morning walk out of your shop onto the footpath and say a prayer of blessing
over your shop, wishing it prosperity. Then turn to the supermarket and
bless it too."

"What! Bless my competitor and destroyer?" "Any blessing you give him will
rebound to your good. Any evil you wish him will destroy you."

After six months the man returned to his counselor to report that he had had
to close down his shop, as he had feared. But now he was in charge of the
supermarket, and his affairs were in much better shape than ever before...

ONLY ONE CHILDHOOD
Author Unknown

I stopped to watch my little girl
busy playing in her room.
In one hand was a plastic phone;
in the other a toy broom.
I listened as she was speaking
to her make believe little friend
and I'll never forget the words she said,
even though it was pretend.
She said "Suzie's in the corner
cuz she's not been very good.
She didn't listen to a word I said
or do the things she should."
In the corner I saw her baby doll
all dressed in lace and pink.
It was obvious she'd been put there
to sit alone and think.
My daughter continued her "conversation, "
as I sat down on the floor.
She said, "I'm all fed up I just don't know
what to do with her anymore.
She whines whenever I have to work
and wants to play games, too;
and never lets me do the things
that I just have to do.
She tries to help me with the dishes,
but her arms just cannot reach
and she doesn't know how to fold the towels
and I don't have time to teach.
I have a lot of work to do
and a big house to keep clean.
I don't have time to sit and play--
don't you know what I mean?"
And that day I thought a lot about
making some changes in my life;
as I listened to her innocent words
that cut me like a knife.
I hadn't been paying enough attention
to what I hold most dear.
I'd been caught up in responsibilities
that increased throughout the year.
But now my attitude has changed
because, in my heart, I realize
I've seen the world in a different light
through my little darling's eyes.
So, let the cobwebs have the corners
and the dust bunnies rule the floor,
I'm not going to worry about
keeping up with them any more.
I'm going to fill the house with memories
of a child and her mother
for God grants us only ONE childhood,
and we will never get another.

The 5 Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying
for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember.
To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said,a 'sweet duty.'

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach,
instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers.
They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right
direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders.
Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and
administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public
opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact
that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It
should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in
pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too
much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which
is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As
the Bible says, 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your
pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have
prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into
proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more
effectively.

The Prayer That Changes Everything

Do you know anyone who would love you enough to lay down their life for you?
Someone who would die in your place? Someone who would pay the penalty in
their body and person for your mistakes and sins? Some who would take the
fall for you? Suffer what you deserve? And do it willingly? All the while
knowing that at anytime he could stand up and say, "Forget this. Send in
the angels. I'm out of here."

I know of only one who would do that for me. And He already did it. That
really takes the pressure off my family and close friends.

If you can't think of anyone who would die to save you, think again. God
sent His only Son, Jesus, "the image of the invisible God" (Col 1:15), the
manifestation of Himself in the flesh. He came. He taught. He displayed
His power in the miracles He worked. He laid down His life in unimaginable
suffering and torture and an agonizing death by crucifixion on a cross in
order to bear all the consequences for our errors, failures, and mistakes.
And then He rose from the dead and forever broke the power of death and h ell
in our lives.

(Adapted, The Prayer That Changes Everything, by Stormie Omartian)

A Fervent Prayer For The Sick and Suffering
O Almighty Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. The same Lord that so
loves His children as to lay His life down for them. The same Lord that rose
from the dead on the third day, and Ascended into Heaven. The same Lord that
spoke the word and the Centurion’s Servant was immediately healed. The same
Lord that restored sight to the blind; cleansed lepers, cured the halt and
lame. The same Lord that with a word rebuked the seas and they were calm.
The same Lord that raised Lazarus from the dead. The same Lord that has been
given all power both in Heaven and on earth, do Thou, the same Lord visit
and heal Thy servant, (__name__), from the afflictions that they are now
suffering. Strengthen our faith like that of the Roman Centurion, so that we
may ask for this healing with the same faith, trust, and hope that Thy
servant, (__name__) will be healed in the same manner that the Centurion’s
servant was restored to health. O Holy physician of our souls and bodies,
hear this fervent prayer for Thy servant (__name__), and grant this request
as we hold this, Thy servant up before Thy glorious Throne. We ask this in
the victorious and Holy Name of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

~ Author Unknown ~

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Friday's Positive Thread