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    <title>topic Daily Positive Thread for Sunday in Community Chat</title>
    <link>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/307416#M130951</link>
    <description>&lt;P&gt;Unhappiness within comes out in an emotional reaction, unlike the happy person &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;who is slow to anger. Lord, help me to glow in Your presence so that the heat of &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the moment doesn't get to me. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Scripture for the day: &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;undivided heart to revere your name." ~Psalm 86:11 &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Meditation for the day: &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I believe that life is a school in which I can learn spiritual things. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I can trust in God and God will teach me. I can listen to God and God can &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;speak through my mind. I can commune with God in spite of all opposition &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;and every obstacle. There will be days when I will hear no voice in my mind &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;and when there will come no intimate heart-to-heart communion. But if I &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;persist, and make a life habit of schooling myself in spiritual things, God &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;can be revealed to me in many ways. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Prayer for the day: &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I pray that I may regularly go to school in things of the spirit. I pray &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;that I may grow spiritually, by making a practice of all these things. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Hello my friends!  Today's blessings for me would be 1) Sammy being more energetic, 2) calling my sister to wish her a happy birthday - she will be 88 tomorrow, nice visit with her, she's the one that has Parkinson's and had fallen and broke her collarbone - she's doing better and is walking now as before with her walker, 3) and always my family and my Faith, plus several more ordinary blessings.  We're going out tonight to our favorite restaurant - I know we'll be blessed there, seeing Jim again. I'm feeling like pasta tonight.  IT's been a long time since we were there.  'bourt time!  Praying for you all for whatever your needs, and I thank you most sincerely for praying for us.  God bless you!&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;PLANTING A SEED &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;By Marion Smith &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Feb 3 2009 &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;1 Cor 3:6 &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I am sure you have seen this – weeds or little flowers pushing their &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;way up to the sunshine in a crack of a sidewalk, driveway or road. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Sometimes I wonder how they thrive so well, when things I have planted &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;intentionally do so poorly! Today I noticed a wonderful gift from God &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;in our cement patio area. The spot where the bird dropped the &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;sunflower seed was almost invisible to the eye. There was no obvious &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;dirt to nurture its growth, and no water to sustain it. Despite all &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;odds, and because I didn’t pull it up when it looked so ugly and &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;weedy, it grew and blossomed into a beautiful sunflower which I &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;enjoyed. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;When we share our love for the Lord with someone, or when we tell them &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;how God has helped and sustained us in our need, we are planting a &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;seed in that person’s mind. It is a seed of love that will grow into &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;full bloom, in God’s perfect time. We don’t have to feel responsible &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;to nurture, fertilize and water this seed to death. All we have to do &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;it plant it. God will take care of the rest. The most important thing &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;for Christians is - do not pull the seed of love as it grows. Do not &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;discourage or make fun of anyone searching for the truth. They may ask &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;questions or do things which look like a weed- unattractive and &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;annoying, but…… it is our responsibility to pray for that person and &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;watch God do His marvelous miracle as He draws the unbeliever into His &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;divine presence. Do you agree? &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;What a privilege to remember, once again, that God is in control. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;DON'T GIVE UP &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Author Unknown &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Jan 16 2009 &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;One day I decided to quit... &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. .. I wanted to quit &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;my life. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;His answer surprised me... &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Yes", I replied. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;of them. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I gave them light. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I gave them water. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The fern quickly grew from the earth. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Its brilliant green covered the floor. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;bamboo. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the bamboo. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He said. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;But I would not quit. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;not quit." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He said. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. ...But just 6 &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;creations a challenge it could not handle." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;struggling, you have actually been growing roots". &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"I would not quit on the bamboo. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I will never quit on you." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Don't compare yourself to others." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He said. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Yet they both make the forest beautiful." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Your time will come", God said to me. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"You will rise high" &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"How high should I rise?" &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I asked. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"As high as it can?" I questioned. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I left the forest and brought back this story. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;you. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Never, Never, Never Give up. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the Lord is! &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;And some Mother Teresa quotes: &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;In Christ, who died on the cross for us, we can definitely confirm the fact &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;that suffering can transform itself into a great love and an extraordinary &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;generosity. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;+++ &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;To love and to serve the poor presupposes something that has nothing to do &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;with giving them our leftovers, or giving them the food we do nor like. It &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;has nothing to do with giving them the clothes we no longer wear just &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;because the clothes are no longer in fashion or because we no longer like &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;them. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Is this sharing the poverty of the poor? Of course it is not. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;+++ &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;There are thousands-millions-of people who die for lack of bread. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;There are thousands-millions-of human beings who grow weak for lack of a &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;little love because they would like to be recognized, even if just a little. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Jesus becomes weak and dies in them. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;+++ &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Once more, today and yesterday, Jesus comes to his own and his own refuse to &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;welcome him (John 1:11). &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He comes in the broken bodies of the poor. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He also comes in the rich who are drowning in the loneliness of their own &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;riches. He also comes in their lonely hearts, when there is no one to offer &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;them love. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;+++ &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;What we say does nor matter, only what God says to souls through us. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;+++ &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Good works are links that form a chain of love. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The Friend Who Just Stands By&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      When troubles come your soul to try,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      You love the friend who just stands by.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Perhaps there's nothing she can do,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      The thing is strictly up to you.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      For there are troubles all your own,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      And paths the soul must tread alone.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Times when love can't smooth the road,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Nor friendship lift the heavy load.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      But just to feel you have a friend,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Who will stand by until the end.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Whose sympathy through all endures,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Whose warm handclasp is always yours.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      It helps somehow to pull you through,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Although there's nothing she can do.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      And so with fervent heart we cry,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      God Bless the friend who just stands by.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      - Author Unknown&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;THE "OUR FATHER" PRAYER&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Author Unknown&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Do I Really Mean What I Pray?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Examine how well you live what you pray as you meditate on the&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;following:&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say OUR if I keep my faith only to myself and never share it&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;with others.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say FATHER if I do not trust in His loving and complete&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;concern for me, forgetting that He always answers prayers how and when&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He knows is best.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if I am so attached to the ways of this&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;world that I neglect to seek God first in everything.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I am unwilling to let His&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;holiness penetrate my life and help me grow in my own holiness.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am not using my life to bring His&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;love into the world.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I live by my own ideas of morality or&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;choose to follow the world's standards.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN if I am not devoting my life&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;to serving Him here on earth.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD if I am not willing to&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;be generous with whatever God gives me.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES if I don't want to put forth&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;enough effort to change.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US if I still&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;hold a grudge, if I'm still angry, or if I still insist that other&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;people change.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION if I deliberately or&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;knowingly place myself in a position to be tempted.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I'm not actively fighting against&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;evil through deeds of love and service for everyone in my life,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;especially those who cause problems. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;By Your Holy Cross&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;~~~~~~~~~~~~~&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;By your holy cross, O Lord,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;you have saved the universe&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;which has wandered from your love,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;lost in darkness; now returned,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;redeemed by your loving death upon the cross.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;We adore your cross.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Cross of love and cross of life,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;key of Heaven, path to light,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;which leads to you, Lord,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;leading to your Heavn'ly home.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;May we follow you and worship you, O Lord,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;you have saved us by your cross.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;- - -&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Syriac: Mshiho Natareh l'ldotkh.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Eng. Adap. G. Abdallah.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A Prayer for Lent&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Father, through our observance of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of your Son's death and resurrection, and teach us to reflect it in our lives. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;DIV&gt; &lt;/DIV&gt;</description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 10 Mar 2013 01:29:19 GMT</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>gloriajean</dc:creator>
    <dc:date>2013-03-10T01:29:19Z</dc:date>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Positive Thread for Sunday</title>
      <link>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/307416#M130951</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Unhappiness within comes out in an emotional reaction, unlike the happy person &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;who is slow to anger. Lord, help me to glow in Your presence so that the heat of &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the moment doesn't get to me. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Scripture for the day: &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;undivided heart to revere your name." ~Psalm 86:11 &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Meditation for the day: &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I believe that life is a school in which I can learn spiritual things. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I can trust in God and God will teach me. I can listen to God and God can &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;speak through my mind. I can commune with God in spite of all opposition &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;and every obstacle. There will be days when I will hear no voice in my mind &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;and when there will come no intimate heart-to-heart communion. But if I &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;persist, and make a life habit of schooling myself in spiritual things, God &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;can be revealed to me in many ways. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Prayer for the day: &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I pray that I may regularly go to school in things of the spirit. I pray &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;that I may grow spiritually, by making a practice of all these things. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Hello my friends!  Today's blessings for me would be 1) Sammy being more energetic, 2) calling my sister to wish her a happy birthday - she will be 88 tomorrow, nice visit with her, she's the one that has Parkinson's and had fallen and broke her collarbone - she's doing better and is walking now as before with her walker, 3) and always my family and my Faith, plus several more ordinary blessings.  We're going out tonight to our favorite restaurant - I know we'll be blessed there, seeing Jim again. I'm feeling like pasta tonight.  IT's been a long time since we were there.  'bourt time!  Praying for you all for whatever your needs, and I thank you most sincerely for praying for us.  God bless you!&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;PLANTING A SEED &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;By Marion Smith &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Feb 3 2009 &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;1 Cor 3:6 &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I am sure you have seen this – weeds or little flowers pushing their &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;way up to the sunshine in a crack of a sidewalk, driveway or road. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Sometimes I wonder how they thrive so well, when things I have planted &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;intentionally do so poorly! Today I noticed a wonderful gift from God &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;in our cement patio area. The spot where the bird dropped the &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;sunflower seed was almost invisible to the eye. There was no obvious &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;dirt to nurture its growth, and no water to sustain it. Despite all &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;odds, and because I didn’t pull it up when it looked so ugly and &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;weedy, it grew and blossomed into a beautiful sunflower which I &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;enjoyed. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;When we share our love for the Lord with someone, or when we tell them &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;how God has helped and sustained us in our need, we are planting a &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;seed in that person’s mind. It is a seed of love that will grow into &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;full bloom, in God’s perfect time. We don’t have to feel responsible &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;to nurture, fertilize and water this seed to death. All we have to do &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;it plant it. God will take care of the rest. The most important thing &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;for Christians is - do not pull the seed of love as it grows. Do not &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;discourage or make fun of anyone searching for the truth. They may ask &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;questions or do things which look like a weed- unattractive and &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;annoying, but…… it is our responsibility to pray for that person and &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;watch God do His marvelous miracle as He draws the unbeliever into His &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;divine presence. Do you agree? &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;What a privilege to remember, once again, that God is in control. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;DON'T GIVE UP &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Author Unknown &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Jan 16 2009 &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;One day I decided to quit... &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. .. I wanted to quit &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;my life. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;His answer surprised me... &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Yes", I replied. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;of them. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I gave them light. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I gave them water. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The fern quickly grew from the earth. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Its brilliant green covered the floor. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;bamboo. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the bamboo. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He said. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;But I would not quit. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;not quit." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He said. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. ...But just 6 &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;creations a challenge it could not handle." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;struggling, you have actually been growing roots". &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"I would not quit on the bamboo. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I will never quit on you." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Don't compare yourself to others." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He said. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Yet they both make the forest beautiful." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Your time will come", God said to me. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"You will rise high" &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"How high should I rise?" &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I asked. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"As high as it can?" I questioned. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can." &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I left the forest and brought back this story. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;you. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Never, Never, Never Give up. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the Lord is! &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;And some Mother Teresa quotes: &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;In Christ, who died on the cross for us, we can definitely confirm the fact &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;that suffering can transform itself into a great love and an extraordinary &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;generosity. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;+++ &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;To love and to serve the poor presupposes something that has nothing to do &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;with giving them our leftovers, or giving them the food we do nor like. It &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;has nothing to do with giving them the clothes we no longer wear just &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;because the clothes are no longer in fashion or because we no longer like &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;them. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Is this sharing the poverty of the poor? Of course it is not. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;+++ &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;There are thousands-millions-of people who die for lack of bread. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;There are thousands-millions-of human beings who grow weak for lack of a &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;little love because they would like to be recognized, even if just a little. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Jesus becomes weak and dies in them. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;+++ &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Once more, today and yesterday, Jesus comes to his own and his own refuse to &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;welcome him (John 1:11). &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He comes in the broken bodies of the poor. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He also comes in the rich who are drowning in the loneliness of their own &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;riches. He also comes in their lonely hearts, when there is no one to offer &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;them love. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;+++ &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;What we say does nor matter, only what God says to souls through us. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;+++ &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Good works are links that form a chain of love. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The Friend Who Just Stands By&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      When troubles come your soul to try,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      You love the friend who just stands by.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Perhaps there's nothing she can do,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      The thing is strictly up to you.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      For there are troubles all your own,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      And paths the soul must tread alone.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Times when love can't smooth the road,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Nor friendship lift the heavy load.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      But just to feel you have a friend,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Who will stand by until the end.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Whose sympathy through all endures,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Whose warm handclasp is always yours.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      It helps somehow to pull you through,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      Although there's nothing she can do.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      And so with fervent heart we cry,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      God Bless the friend who just stands by.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;      - Author Unknown&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;THE "OUR FATHER" PRAYER&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Author Unknown&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Do I Really Mean What I Pray?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Examine how well you live what you pray as you meditate on the&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;following:&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say OUR if I keep my faith only to myself and never share it&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;with others.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say FATHER if I do not trust in His loving and complete&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;concern for me, forgetting that He always answers prayers how and when&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;He knows is best.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if I am so attached to the ways of this&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;world that I neglect to seek God first in everything.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I am unwilling to let His&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;holiness penetrate my life and help me grow in my own holiness.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am not using my life to bring His&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;love into the world.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I live by my own ideas of morality or&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;choose to follow the world's standards.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN if I am not devoting my life&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;to serving Him here on earth.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD if I am not willing to&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;be generous with whatever God gives me.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES if I don't want to put forth&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;enough effort to change.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US if I still&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;hold a grudge, if I'm still angry, or if I still insist that other&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;people change.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION if I deliberately or&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;knowingly place myself in a position to be tempted.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I'm not actively fighting against&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;evil through deeds of love and service for everyone in my life,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;especially those who cause problems. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;By Your Holy Cross&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;~~~~~~~~~~~~~&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;By your holy cross, O Lord,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;you have saved the universe&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;which has wandered from your love,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;lost in darkness; now returned,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;redeemed by your loving death upon the cross.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;We adore your cross.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Cross of love and cross of life,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;key of Heaven, path to light,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;which leads to you, Lord,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;leading to your Heavn'ly home.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;May we follow you and worship you, O Lord,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;you have saved us by your cross.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;- - -&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Syriac: Mshiho Natareh l'ldotkh.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Eng. Adap. G. Abdallah.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A Prayer for Lent&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Father, through our observance of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of your Son's death and resurrection, and teach us to reflect it in our lives. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;DIV&gt; &lt;/DIV&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 10 Mar 2013 01:29:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/307416#M130951</guid>
      <dc:creator>gloriajean</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2013-03-10T01:29:19Z</dc:date>
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