Daily Positive Thread for Wednesday

gloriajean — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:12:42 GMT

Jesus is the greatest giver of happiness that anyone has ever known.
Take Him into your heart. Lord, Your presence in my life brings me great joy.

Scripture for the day:

Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. The
burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water;
The abode where jackals lurk will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus. A
highway will be there, called the holy way; No one unclean may pass over
it, nor fools go astray on it. No lion will be there, nor beast of prey go
up to be met upon it. It is for those with a journey to make, and on it
the redeemed will walk. ~Isaiah 35:1-10

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, "Who is this who
speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?" Jesus knew
their thoughts and said to them in reply, "What are you thinking in your
hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say,
'Rise and walk'?
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to
forgive sins"- he said to the one who was paralyzed, "I say to you, rise,
pick up your stretcher, and go home." ~Luke 5:17-26

Meditation for the day

We can look at absolutely any part of today's first reading and be
overwhelmed with Isaiah's hopeful expectation. And he's right. Still, many
would not be ready to accept that dream, or Jesus when He came. Although
the scribes and Pharisees were always critical, Jesus fearlessly revealed
God's power by spending time with and healing those who needed Him the
most.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may be overwhelmed with Isaiah's dream of peace and justice.
I pray that I may accept Jesus fully no matter what others say or think.

Hello my friends! How was your day? Mine was long - I worked at Lori's office from 11:00 until 7:30!! Linus had supper ready - sausage! Tomorrow I only have to be there at 2 PM. as Lori has a couple massages at her house in the morning.
This morning Linus said he started to think it was time to think about moving to an apt. so he doesn't have to work anymore and we'd be debt free. He said it was all up to me. So I asked on Viewpoints and the posters there made me feel a lot better about it. This is just in the thinking stage now, and praying stage, seeking God's will for us.
There's a lot to consider, so it will take lots of time. Please keep us in prayer.

Homily of the Day

December 7, 2010

Aging Is a Gift!
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Is 40:1-11 / Mt 18:12-14

Isaiah reminds us quite pointedly today of our mortality. “All mankind is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower wilts….” How true, and how fast it happens. Before we know it, our lives are half over or more. And we can find ourselves sad or disappointed or even fearful about what comes next. There’s a yearning in us for something more substantial, something more lasting.

Isaiah shows us where to look. “Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever.” And that’s where we need to plant our lives, squarely in the Lord who is the ground of our being. Aging has its drawbacks, but it has some singular blessings as well. It can remind us of what lasts and what doesn’t, of where our hearts will be satisfied and filled full, and where they won’t. It can prod us to let go of what doesn’t count, and to grasp at real life, not just appearances.

Thank God that he’s giving you the gift of time, time to grow up on the inside and to learn to value what has lasting value. Thank God, and let him come all the way into your life.

May your Christmas celebration be more than just a recollection of events long past. Let it be a rejoicing at his coming to take up residence within you, never to leave again.

THE FERN AND THE BAMBOO
Author Unknown

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my
spirituality.... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have
one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me.

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care
of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew
from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing
came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And
again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the
bamboo.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I
would not quit. The same in year four.

"Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong
and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my
creations a challenge it could not handle.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling,
you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo..
I will never quit on you.

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a
different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest
beautiful.

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me. And He
will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are
essential to life.

Letter To Santa

Dear Santa

Snowflakes softly falling
Upon your window play,
Your blankets snug around you,
Into sleep you drift away.

I bend to gently kiss you,
When I see that on the floor
There's a letter, neatly written
I wonder who it's for.

I quietly unfold it
Making sure you're still asleep,
It's a Christmas list for Santa--
One my heart will always keep.

It started just as always
With the toys seen on TV,
A new watch for your father
And a winter coat for me.

But as my eyes read on
I could see that deep inside
There were many things you wished for
That your loving heart would hide.

You asked if your friend Molly
Could have another dad;
It seems her father hits her
And it makes you very sad.

Then you asked dear Santa
If the neighbors down the street
Could find a job, that he might have
Some food, and clothes, and heat.

You saw a family on the news
Whose house had blown away;
"Dear Santa, send them just one thing:
A place where they can stay."

"And Santa, those four cookies that
I left you for a treat,
Could you take them to the children
Who have nothing else to eat?"

"Do you know that little bear I have-
The one I love so dear?
I'm leaving it for you to take
To Africa this year."

"And as you fly your reindeer
On this night of Jesus' birth,
Could your magic bring to everyone
Goodwill and peace on earth?"

"There's one last thing before you go--
So grateful I would be--
If you'd smile at Baby Jesus
In the manger by our tree."

I pulled the letter close to me;
I felt it melt my heart.
Those tiny hands had written
What no other could impart.

"And a little child shall lead them,"
Was whispered in my ear
As I watched you sleep on Christmas Eve
While Santa Claus was here.

Author Unknown

Be Grateful For What You Already Have

Everyone wants to live a happy life, but not everyone can achieve it. Why?
Because most of us are ungrateful for almost everything. We always want more, of everything. We are not grateful for those things we already have. We want more money, more income, better social status, better cars, better home.
Being ungrateful is one of the greatest acts of self-centeredness. It is important for us to remember that it is the kind of behavior we have to avoid at all costs, If we are to continue to be blessed we must give thanks for that we already have.
By being grateful, we will see the world differently. We will see that there are always good things behind everything that happens even the bad things. We will realize that our life is wonderful.
We can start by being grateful for every little thing that happen in our life.
Say "Thank You" for every kindness we receive. Say it from the deepest part of our heart.
Count our blessings. Take a piece of paper and write how many blessings that you get today, starting with God waking you up this morning and getting you stated in a brand new day. We live in a good home, we have family, friends, we have money, we have foods to eat and water to drink. We have a reasonable amount of health and above all, we are all still alive.
We write good things that happen in our life. Especially those which impress us. When life looks dark and it's difficult for us to be grateful, open and read what we have written. It reminds us of something to be grateful for.
Help and give those in need that will focus our minds, that we are in a better condition than others.
We will be grateful if our mind focuses on what we have rather than what we don't have. Most people focus on receiving which makes their mind focus on what they don't have. No wonder it's difficult for them to be grateful.
So, BE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU ALREADY HAVE.

Let's be grateful and in being grateful bless someone else so that they to have something to be grateful for.

Legend of the Poinsettia

The legend of the Poinsettia comes from Mexico. It tells of a girl named
Maria and her little brother Pablo. They were very poor but always looked
forward to the Christmas festival. Each year a large manger scene was set
up in the village church, and the days before Christmas were filled with
parades and parties.
The two children loved Christmas but were always saddened because they had
no money to buy presents. They especially wished that they could give
something to the church for the Baby Jesus. But they had nothing. One
Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo set out for church to attend the service.
On their way they picked some weeds growing along the roadside and decided
to take them as their gift to the Baby Jesus in the manger scene.
Of course other children teased them when they arrived with their gift,
but they said nothing for they knew they had given what they could. Maria and
Pablo began placing the green plants around the manger and miraculously,
the green top leaves turned into bright blood red petals, and soon the manger
was surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers, just like we see them today.

Good night all and Sweet Dreams! I will be shortly in bed!!
God bless you all!

Closing Prayer:

Prayer for God's Help in Daily Actions

Our Father, may everything I do begin with Your
Inspiration,
continue with Your Help,
and reach perfection under Your Guidance.
With Your loving care guide me in my daily actions.
Help me to persevere with love and sincerity.
Teach me to judge wisely the things of earth
and to love the things of Heaven.
Keep me in Your presence
and never let me be separated from You.
Your Spirit made me Your child,
confident to call You Father.
Make Your Love the foundation of my life.
Teach me to long for Heaven.
May its promise and hope guide my way on earth
until I reach eternal life with You.

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Daily Positive Thread for Wednesday