Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

gloriajean — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 02:25:55 GMT

Hello my friends! Hope you all had a good day today - -3 is much better than we've had in a long time, but still icy though. Lori was here for supper - we're talking about places to have our Anniversary possibly in July and we'll check out a place tomorrow that seems reasonable enough. Tonight I don't have much to say so I'll just leave it at that and see you tomorrow. Praying for you all, that I always do.

Daily Inspiration, Scripture, Meditation and Prayer

Let life's lessons grow into wisdom so that you may be the light for someone

else's darkness. Lord, help me put to good use that which today brings so

that I am better prepared for tomorrow.

Scripture for the Day

"He said to them, 'Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest

a while.'" — Mark 6:31

Meditation for the Day

I can sometimes go aside into a quiet place of retreat with God. In that

place, I can find restoration and healing and power. I can plan quiet times

now and then, times when I can commune with God and arise rested and

refreshed to carry on the work which God has given me to do. I know that God

will never give me a load greater than I can bear. It is in serenity and

peace that all true success lies.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may strengthen my inner life. I pray that my soul may be

restored in quietness and peace.

Scripture Reflection by Patrick Carnevale

Today's readings 1/8/14

1Jn.4:11-18; Ps.72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mk.6:45-52

I don't think anyone can honestly say they've never been afraid because we

live in a dangerous world that demands caution and awareness all the time.

Scripture tells us that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"

(Prv.1:7) and so fear can be a good thing sometimes, we see a good example

of that in the disciples in that storm-tossed boat, and if the truth were

known we see it in ourselves as well. Like those terrified men our love and

faith isn't quite "perfect" yet, it's in the "beginning" stages so to speak,

and so we need to be patient with it so we don't fall into the trap of

discouragement that leads to the kind of fear our ancient enemy tries to

ensnare us in. In today's first reading St.John tells us "Perfect love

drives out fear" and frees us from it's crippling grip, but in order to

overcome fear we need to learn how to love perfectly, and that takes a

lifetime to accomplish. For three years Jesus' disciples spent almost every

waking moment with Him, they had a first hand view of His Death and His

Resurrection and yet they still had their moments of doubt and fear just

like we do, that is until the Holy Spirit came along and began to empower

them, then it was a whole different story! We're really no different, my

friends, it is the workings of the Holy Spirit that have enabled our love

and faith to mature, and that's why "Nothing will be impossible for you"

just like Jesus tells us in Mt.17:20, and that includes overcoming those

doubts and fears that plague all of us at times.

God bless you,

In Jesus - Pat

Rules For Daily Life

Begin the day with God

Kneel down to Him in prayer;

Lift up thy heart to His abode.

And seek His love to share.

Open the Book of God

And read a portion there;

That it may hallow all thy thoughts,

And sweeten all thy care.

Go through the day with God

Whate'er thy work may be;

Where'er thou art-at home, abroad,

He still is near to thee.

Converse in the mind with God

Thy spirit heavenward raise:

Acknowledge every good bestowed,

And offer grateful praise.

Conclude the day with God

Thy sins to Him confess;

Trust in the Lord's atoning blood,

And plead His righteousness.

Lie down at night with God

Who gives His servants sleep;

And when thou tread'st the vale of death,

He will thee guard and keep.

Pass this inspiration on ...

- Author Unknown

The Call

The Master called my name one day because He needed someone to go.

I said "Lord, in my spare time, between school, spending time with my

husband, working from 8 to 6, and trying to coordinate a program for my

community to help our children do better, I will help You look. See, I know

I can't go right now cause I have so much to do."

He said, "Well where shall I find such a person? I thought I saw your name

on my list of available people."

"Well Lord, that was the prayer that I prayed last year, but since then,

things have changed."

He said "Like what?"

"Well I'm working on my Ph.D. and I'm needed by so many people and my

husband is always wanting something done, and on top of that my community

expects me to help and give to them so..."

"Well, seeing that you're busy, I'll let you go, but we will talk again, if

you have some time."

I went on through the days, and the weeks, and the months completing my task

as always. One evening, while studying for my computer exams, I received a

call from the hospital concerning my husband.

He had been in a terrible accident and was in critical condition. I dropped

everything and ran to the hospital where I found my husband hanging on for

dear life.

I immediately begin to pray "Lord, don't take him now, I can't bear it",

but my prayer echoed off the wall and returned into my own ear.

That next morning I left the hospital tired and weary, and walked in the

door of my classroom just in time to begin my computer exams.

As the professors begin asking me questions I opened my mouth to speak but

nothing came out. In my mind, I began praying, praying hard, but my prayer

echoed again and I found myself upset at the Lord because He was nowhere to

be found. I could not explain to them what was happening.

After leaving from my exams, I called in to work because I was so distraught

at all that was going on. I explained to my supervisor what had happened and

she demanded that I take some time off.

After visiting my husband in the hospital that evening, I went home and fell

into a sunken state, crying and despairing. Just then I heard someone

calling my name.

"Lord, is that you?"

"Well yes it is. Do you have some time? I wanted to see if I could just talk

..... "

Instead of waiting to hear His questions, I lashed out in anger and

resentment. "How is it that when I needed You today, You couldn't be found

and last night I cried and cried but all I heard were echoes from the walls.

My husband is dying, I'm flunking out of school, I may not have a job and

You can just sit and say You want to talk".

The Lord interrupted me in my foolish speaking. "My child, I was busy out

looking for someone to go and tell others about me when you cried. By the

time I came to answer, you had moved on to something else.

So, I decided to let your husband rest, and keep you home for a few days

that way maybe you would get in touch with me, if you had some time. For

you see, before your husband, the community or your job needs you, I NEED

YOU.

And if all these things take you away from me, I have to almost take them

away from YOU, in order to get a moment. "

I calmed down and began to cry. For I remembered my prayer of wanting to go

and do for the Lord.

He said "I just wanted to recheck with you to see if you knew of anyone that

I could send to be a witness for me and tell others about me... anyone at

all....?"

With tears in my eyes and feeling so unworthy I said "Lord, send me, I'll

go."

The Lord should never have to ask us if we have some time. When He died on

the cross He put aside everything to insure us eternal life.

We should be more than grateful to do service for the Lord, to witness, and

to tell anyone we can about Jesus.

Don't let your "things", whatever they may be, get you so tied up that the

Lord has to become a meeting time in your yearly planner.

He had more than enough time for us. The least we could do is have time for

Him.

- Author Unknown

Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send,

And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and

all these things shall be added to you.

"GIVE AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU..."

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

rondell — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:19:05 GMT

Thank you so much, gloriajean. I always find such an inner peace from your devotionals. God is good all the time! Where would I be without Him? If only the entire world would come to Him....

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

gloriajean — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:54:08 GMT

Welcome rondell to the Positive Thread! Sure hope you come back here! You are so right that God is good all the time and it would be so wonderful if the whole world would come to know Him and serve Him - and do His Holy Will!! It's so nice to see you!!! (((rondell)))

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

rondell — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 06:01:37 GMT

I'll be back, gloriajean! Thank you so much for your friendship. It means a lot.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

Bobbi sue — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:45:46 GMT

Hello friends...Blessings to all who come here. I am blessed. I love Jesus!

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

Puzzle Piece — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 18:12:00 GMT

Hello To All!

Yes, I believe we must be light to someone else's darkness whether we will know it or not.

It's good that you have started early to plan for your Anniversary Bash Gloria Jean. Good to see you back BobbiSue and I asked that your home and your health be guarded in my way of praying. I know folks will be feeling relieved that the artic conditions are now being put behind them as this nation slowly thaws out. We have what it takes to get up and tackle any obstacle or challenge that is put before us.

I know you are all loved and appreciated by the creator. I give thanks for every one of you and our troops, our allies and our many blessings and gifts this nation has and provides.

Take care all, Stay safe, be at peace.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

HeresLucy — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 21:20:04 GMT

Good afternoon!

I hope your day is going well. After defrosting from the deep freeze of the past few days, I went out on errands yesterday and earlier this morning. Finally the temps are getting back to normal and I am thankful for that. One day it was colder here in Alabama than it was in Anchorage, AK. Now...I ask you...what is wrong with that picture???? lol

Hoping everyone has kept warm and been ok during all of this harsh weather. One thing to look forward to is that spring is in about 10 weeks. Yesterday while out and about I noticed someone had tilled their garden space so I guess they are getting ready for planting season. Warmer temps for Fri and the weekend...60's!!!!

I thank the Lord for all of his blessings and I thank the Lord for you.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

HeresLucy — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 21:28:11 GMT

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

Puzzle Piece — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 01:43:41 GMT

Eehhhhhhh LUCY!!! I so enjoy Marianne Williamson! Good going!

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