Friday's Positive Thread

gloriajean — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 06:54:28 GMT

Recognize the joy that comes from the simple things in life like a smile, a

hug,

or a good meal. Lord, help me think about the good things in my life and

how my life would change without them.

Scripture for the day:

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to

do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love."

~John 4:18

Meditation for the day:

I can trust God. This lesson has to be learned. My doubts and fears can

continually drive me back into the wilderness. Doubts can lead me astray,

because I am not trusting God. I can trust God's love. It will never fail

me, but I can learn not fail it by my doubts and fears. We all have much to

learn in turning out fear by faith. Our doubts can arrest God's work

through us. I need not doubt. I can believe in God and continually work at

strengthening my faith.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may live the way God wants me to live. I pray that I may get

into that stream of goodness and love in the world.

Hello my friends! I sure am hoping that I won't have as much trouble

posting this tonight as I did last night! It took many tries, it got all

jumbled up again. I don't know why it won't let me have paragraphs - anyway

last night it didn't. I have them here. Today was a good day at work with

Lori - she took me out to lunch - at Pizza Ranch - for their buffet - I had

barbecued chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans, it was

delicious!! It's just a few steps from her office, just around the corner!

Then later I did sell two gift certificates and did a cancellation by phone.

So good thing I was there. Another blessing - I got another order from my

great-niece, Erin, for shampoo, conditioner and a cream that she makes. The

shampoo is for not only hair but for the skin too, so I tried washing my

face with it - very good indeed! I have rosacea - and the medicated wash is

all gone now, so I'm trying this out to see if it works on my face. It's

always a blessing to be spending time with Lori - so working with her is

great! We get to share a lot with each other. Praying for you all - thanks

for your prayers for me.

Prayer for Trust in Jesus

O Christ Jesus,

when all is darkness

and we feel our weakness and helplessness,

give us the sense of Your presence,

Your love, and Your strength.

Help us to have perfect trust

in Your protecting love

and strengthening power,

so that nothing may frighten or worry us,

for, living close to You,

we shall see Your hand,

Your purpose, Your will through all things.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT

Written by Arlene Spanos 2006 (revised 2010)

T’was eight centuries before Christ came to the earth,

The Holy Scriptures foretold of the Messiah’s Birth.

The world was in peril with distress and gloom,

Far and wide there was destruction and doom.

People were lost - they were deaf, blind and dumb;

God promised a Savior one day would come.

The prophesies gave the details of His Birth,

It was certain He’d come to transform the earth.

He’d be born of a virgin, laid in a manger with hay,

Then His Hands and Feet pierced on His final day.

It was told where He’d be born and His Ancestral Line,

He would be King of Kings, completely Divine.

An angel told Mary that she would be the one

To give birth to God’s Child, His Only Begotten Son.

The Lord had a purpose for which He came;

God would be with us – Immanuel, His Name;

Mankind would learn about peace, hope, and joy;

It would all come about in this small Baby Boy.

He was the Prince of Peace, a real Beacon of Light;

Reverent and Righteous; He taught wrong from right.

He came to restore us and showed us to care

And to help one another; He taught us to share.

Many followed and listened to all that He said.

Hearts and lives changed as their souls had been fed.

His Wisdom was divine, far beyond what they’d known;

Many traveled great distance; crowds really had grown.

He was a Humble Servant as He showed us pure love.

He taught us to know our Heavenly Father above.

He was Holy and Sinless, never even told a lie.

He was mocked, and beaten, then crucified to die.

Folks were amazed and confused with all that went on,

They didn’t understand…until He was gone.

He made the sacrifice for our debt to be paid.

For upon Him all of our sins had been laid.

He was Goodness and Grace and came to relieve

The wretched grasp of satan to all who believe.

He was God as a Man to His last dying breath,

Then rose from the dead with His power over death.

This all actually happened, it isn’t folklore.

He told us of Heaven and showed us there’s more.

Christ had come to save the souls on earth,

He offers deliverance and a second birth.

We call Him Jesus and He is with us today;

He is Lord of all Lords and He is the Way.

He’s the Counselor, Comforter, Redeemer and Friend,

He Reigns over all; His Rule never will end.

We celebrate His Birth and all that it means

With songs and displays of Nativity scenes.

His Amazing Grace is the actual reason

That we recognize and rejoice this season.

Again this year we celebrate His Holy Birth;

Merry Christmas to all and to all Peace On Earth!

The Birthday of Christ

The Lord was resting in a house

When His Birthday came again.

In celebration of His first,

The earth was remembering when

He was born beneath the star,

In a lowly stable then.

The high and mighty of the earth,

In pompous display of wealth,

Showered the Lord with trinkets of gold,

Mostly gained by stealth.

With benign air and ponderous pride

They wished Him the best of health.

The Lord of All regarded them

With eyes of sorrow and shame.

"It would please me mightily, for you

To remember and speak My Name.

To help all those truly in want

And do it for me, not fame.

"What need have I of money and jewels

When I have the whole world," said He'

"Be kind and help the sick and the poor;

When you do it, do it for Me.

When you give in Love your talents and time,

You help to set Me free.

"The lowest slave who helps his brothers

Is truly a Brother to Me.

Those who heal with Love in their hearts

Are really healing Me.

Those who give their life for others

Will live for eternity.

"To all who seek to remember My birth,

Remember My life as well.

Keep My day with Love in your hearts,

And don't forget to tell

All you meet of My Love for them,

Then Love will forever swell."

Good Luck Means God

This is a story about a husband rushing to the shopping center to find a

last minute anniversary gift for his wife. Just as he was going through the

door of the supermarket, an impatient shopper came rushing out, bumping an

elderly lady and sending her parcels flying. No one stopped to help her.

John looked at his watch. In a few minutes the store would be dosed. What

should he do? The poor old lady looked so upset.... Well, John helped her

gather up everything. She gave him such a sweet smile, that he was charmed

into seeing her safely to her bus. Then John dashed back to the supermarket,

just as the security man had locked all the doors. So - all he could buy his

wife was a bunch of flowers.

One night about two months later, John was hundreds of miles from home,

driving through a heavy rainstorm when his tire blew out. He found that his

spare tire was also flat. So, dripping wet, he climbed back into the car and

waited and waited in the dark.... Finally, he saw two headlights coming down

the road.... He waved frantically, and the car stopped. inside, was that

same old lady, he had helped some weeks before.

She explained that she was actually on the wrong road. Back somewhere, she

had taken a wrong turn. And so it was by pure luck that she happened to be

here, just when she could be of help.

Any Christian, of course, knows that there is no such a thing as luck. Luck

is another word for God working behind things... like caring for the birds

of the air and the lilies of the field and the hairs of your head, as

Matthew says in 6:28.

topic Friday's Positive Thread in Community Chat

Friday's Positive Thread