topic Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday in Community Chat

Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

gloriajean — Thu, 01 May 2014 00:28:16 GMT

Hello my friends! I wish Shorelady could have great news - maybe it will take a little while longer? So sorry for all you are going thru, dear lady, and your husband. Today's blessings first of all - the lots of views and posts on today's (Wednesday's) thread, Thank you everyone! And we're having a different chicken meal today - it's in the oven, I just put a ready to cook pecan coated chicken breast in - mashed potatoes are going with that along with a salad. With that I'll send out the inspirations now.

Live life with an attitude of gratitude and partner with God in all that you

do.

Lord, thank You because I am blessed and highly favored.

Scripture for the day:

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are

varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of

activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

~1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Meditation for the day:

God can be the great interpreter of one human personality to another.

Even personalities who are the nearest together have much in their natures

that remains a sealed book to each other. And only as God enters and leads

their lives are the mysteries of each revealed to the other. Each

personality is so different. God alone understands perfectly the language

of each and can interpret between the two. Here we can find the miracles of

change and the true interpretation of life.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may be in the right relationship to God. I pray that God will

interpret to me the personalities of other people, so that I can understand

them and better help them.

WHY DOES GOD LET PEOPLE SUFFER?

People suffer. Even good people. Pain can be a helpful signal that something

is wrong. But what of people whose lives seem to be swallowed up in a great

cloud of suffering? We view on the news the catastrophic suffering caused by

earthquakes and wars, famine and disease. Such suffering leads people to

question: if God is as benevolent and almighty as we believe, why doesn't

the Good God use divine power to stop people's suffering? Why does God let

people suffer? What follows are some personal reflections on the great

mystery of suffering.

Our Responsibility

Almost all suffering is caused by what we do, or fail to do. God gives us an

earth rich enough, and intelligence keen enough, to meet the needs of all

the earth's children. It is our own greed and fear that squander our

material and mental resources, and lead to so much suffering.

For example, we create such inequitable economic systems that 20% of the

world's population consume 80% of the earth's resources, leaving 80% of

humanity to subsist on only 20% of the earth's goods. Can we rightly blame

God, then, for the 40,000 people, mostly children, who die every single day

from malnutrition?

If we dedicate the time and talents of half our scientists and engineers to

the defense industry, should God be blamed because so many of our basic

human needs are left unmet? If we spend as much money on one B-1 bomber as

we spend all year on cancer, or heart, or AIDS research, who's to blame if

we have not yet found the cure for these ravaging diseases?

The sorry list of our tragic misuse of resources goes on and on. We cannot

blame God for the injustices we ourselves cause. We are personally

responsible for our own actions, and for their consequences, in our lives

and in our world. God is not a scapegoat for our sins.

What of all the suffering produced by natural disasters--floods,

earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanos? Isn't God responsible for these?

Many of our floods are caused by our own wanton stripping away of the

earth's protective forests. We prefer not to see how our sins against the

earth lead to so much suffering. The alarming increase in many diseases,

like cancer and asthma, are the direct result of our contamination of the

environment. The accusing finger needs to be pointed not at God, but at

ourselves.

We divert vast resources to produce an obscene overabundance of armaments.

It is within our power, instead, to harness our technological energies to

produce safer housing, etc, in danger zones, and so drastically curtail the

damage caused by flooding, earthquakes, etc.

As it is, much of the suffering from natural disasters is not caused by the

initial trauma, but by the horrible aftermath of trapped victims,

homelessness, hunger and disease. We have well armed military forces ready

to move on a moment's notice to engage an enemy in any part of the world. We

are able to equally well equip rescue forces prepared to move on a moment's

notice to combat the aftereffects of natural disasters, and so dramatically

reduce suffering. If we were as committed to sending out rescue forces and

vaccines as we are to sending military forces and weaponry, how much

suffering could be reduced. The fault does not lie with God, but with

ourselves, with our greed and fears. As President Kennedy once said: "Here

on earth God's work must truly be our own."

The Good News

Far from wanting people to suffer, God sent Jesus to lead us out of

suffering, to usher in God's reign of peace and love. Jesus came with the

Good News ("Gospel") that only God's love, not greed, can fill the emptiness

of our restless hearts. Jesus showed us that fear is useless, but that trust

heals (Mk 5:36).

Because so many of us turn our backs on the Good News and entrust our hearts

to worldly idols--possessions, power, prestige, pleasure--the reign of God

is still eclipsed by a reign of tears. Scientific and technological progress

is not going to bring suffering to an end. Only the Good News will do that.

That's why our faith is so important. Nothing is as important as

understanding and living the Good News. Only Jesus, and the new Way of

living that His life, death and resurrection have made possible, can

liberate us from the sufferings brought upon us by our own sins.

Holy Tears

Rigorous training causes athletes pain. They accept their "suffering" as the

best way to condition their bodies. As Christians we accept our suffering as

the best way to holiness. Jesus came to take away our tears, but He also

shows us how to make them holy.

Our sufferings can crush us, make us hard and bitter. We have all met people

like that. These people weren't always like that. They let life's crosses

crush the love out of them.

We also know people who have suffered just as much as the embittered ones,

but did not let their cross crush them down. Instead of becoming bitter,

they became better people. Their faith enabled them to dig down deep within

themselves, to connect with a Power beyond their own, and let God raise them

up above their sufferings. Christians have no easy answers to the mystery of

suffering. But we do know that if there were another, better, way, God would

not have let Jesus die on a cross. Jesus is our model. In His death agony

Jesus experienced desolation (Mk 15:34), but He did not despair (Lk 23:46).

God is continuously at work transforming Good Fridays into Easter Sundays.

One of the most beautiful people I have ever met had just graduated as a

teacher. She shared her story with a group of us studying alcoholism. She

told us that in her childhood she had been abused by her father. Upon coming

to college she tried to cover up her pain by abusing alcohol.

Fortunately, she eventually sought counseling and, through hard work in a 12

Step program, gained sobriety. She said that as a teacher she would have her

eye out for signs of child abuse in her students, the signs that had been

missed by her teachers. She was not going to work out her issues through

these children; she had her own resources for that. But she would be alert

to assist children suffering abuse. There was a deep beauty in this young

women, a sensitivity and compassion, a purpose and maturity beyond her

years.

At the end of the session I approached her and thanked her for her

presentation. I told her that I though my own sufferings as a child, as

painful as the were, had helped make me the person I am today.

She responded by telling me something I will never forget. Looking back on

how she had been abused, and on how she had abused herself, she said: "I

wouldn't change any of it." God had used it all to make her who she is

today! What a profound spirituality!

This young woman's wisdom for living far surpasses my own. If I could change

things that have happened to me, or things that I myself have done, I would

be sorely tempted to do so. But she is right. God is so awesome that God can

bring blessings even out of evil. That is why, at our solemn Easter Vigil,

the Church calls original sin a "happy fault...which gained for us so great

a Redeemer!" To the extent that we open our lives to God's healing, God does

write straight and true with all the crooked lines of our lives.

God does not want people to suffer. But God does respect our human freedom

and tolerate our sins. Jesus patiently leads us away from greed and fear to

the day when "God will wipe away all tears from [our] eyes" (Rev 21:4). We

follow Jesus, burdened, but not crushed, by our crosses. In the midst of our

sufferings we continue to trust that the darkness which sometimes engulfs us

is the shadow of God's Hand stretched over us in blessing.

Ronald Stanley, O.P

Prayer for Harmony

God the Father, source of everything divine, you are good surpassing

everything good and just surpassing everything just. In you is tranquility,

as well as peace and harmony. Heal our divisions and restore us to the unity

of love, which is similar to your divine nature. let the bond of love and

the ties of divine affection make us one in the Spirit by your peace which

renders everything peaceful. We ask this through the grace, mercy, and

compassion of your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

St Dionysius of Alexandria, Bishop and Educator

May is known as the month of Mary. Many people join in with

their families and friends to pray the Rosary..

WHY THE DAILY ROSARY?

Our Lady has 117 titles. She selected this title at Fatima:

"I am the Lady of the Rosary."

St. Francis de Sales said the greatest method of praying is

to Pray the Rosary.

St. Thomas Aquinas preached 40 straight days in Rome Italy

on just the Hail Mary.

St. John Vianney, patron of priests, was seldom seen without

a rosary in his hand.

"The rosary is the scourge of the devil" -- Pope Adrian VI

"The rosary is a treasure of graces" -- Pope Paul V

Padre Pio the stigmatic priest said: "The Rosary is THE

WEAPON"

Pope Leo XIII wrote 9 encyclicals on the rosary.

Pope John XXIII spoke 38 times about our Lady and the

Rosary. he prayed 15 decades daily.

St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort wrote: "The rosary is

the most powerful weapon to touch the Heart of Jesus, Our

Redeemer, who so loves His Mother."

MARY, QUEEN OF THE HOLY ANGELS -- PRAY FOR US!

God's Road Map

I opened my map that God had left

Realized that I had missed my turn

Searched for the error I made

And God's voice I heard

He said rely on me my child and I'll direct your path

For the mistake you made was neither right nor left

I quizzed the words he said and turned the page

There I saw another lost and afraid

We both turned the next page and a note was left

God said, Do not fear for I haven't left

His words were comforting and true

But left me to ask, Did I leave you?

In His words I heard a smile

And He said you've gone the last mile

I looked at the map realizing my fate

The directions simple from state to state

Take my hand He said again

Without a second thought we placed our Faith in Him

Realizing the power we felt

We knelt to give Him Praise

And the final direction He gave

He said soft and sweet

You are done and have found the place

Where I have promised silver and gold

Reign with me and rest at home

For the Map you've used hast made thee whole

Continue to tell the journey you made

And the words you've heard

For the map you've used is simply God's Word!

10 Important Things Are....

LOVE

The Special Feeling That Makes You Feel

All Warm And Wonderful.

RESPECT

Treating Others As Well

As You Would Like To Be Treated.

APPRECIATION

To Be Grateful For All The Good Things

Life Has To Offer.

HAPPINESS

The Full Enjoyment Of Each Moment.

A Smiling Face.

FORGIVENESS

The Ability To Let Things Be

Without Anger.

SHARING

The Joy Of Giving

Without Thought Of Receiving.

HONESTY

The Quality Of Always

Telling The Truth.

INTEGRITY

The Purity Of Doing What's Right,

No Matter What.

COMPASSION

The Essence Of Feeling Another's Pain,

While Easing Their Hurt.

PEACE

The Reward For Living

~Author Unknown~

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

gloriajean — Thu, 01 May 2014 00:50:44 GMT

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

Cakers1 — Thu, 01 May 2014 14:58:01 GMT

Hello everyone -

I also hope to hear from shorelady.

{{{go2girl}}} I read your update on Skypie's thread - many prayers going up for your sweet grandson.

It's a beautiful morning here - low temps for this time of year. But brush fires are up 83% since this time last year in the south county. 2 homes have been lost so far.

Hope you all have a peaceful day - keep the faith.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

Bobbi sue — Thu, 01 May 2014 15:21:28 GMT

Blessings to all. I give thanks to Jesus for getting me safely home after running errands. Jesus watches over me.

Pray for Shorelady's DH that God will heal him. Dear Lord heal Shorelady's husband. Thank you.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

Inner_Wealth — Thu, 01 May 2014 16:42:27 GMT

What a beautiful posting...I have not been on the boards for a very long time...I always loved this thread so much...It is so good for my heart to be back and to have read this today...

Bless you Gloria Jean for always being so uplifting and kind, and spreading that towards each of us here...You are a gem...

Bless also, each of you here and have a beautiful day today full of love, comfort and smiles...

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

Inner_Wealth — Thu, 01 May 2014 16:43:37 GMT

Heartfelt Prayers for Shorelady and her Husband...

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

HeresLucy — Thu, 01 May 2014 18:49:07 GMT

Good afternoon!

My days have been mixed up this week. Tuesday was Wednesday, yesterday-today, it took me a minute to realize today was Thursday and to post on the right day. No wonder this week has been a long one! lol

We had tornadoes all around us this past Monday, I kept in touch with Juanita to make sure she was ok, and she is. I thank the Lord for no damage to our area but some close by got slammed. Other states were hit hard, too. Please keep those folks in your prayers.

I'm in the middle of doing housework and thought I'd take a break to post. It is a welcomed break! It's such a beautiful day, I should be out doing something but here I am...doing housework! Tomorrow, Lord willing, I'll get out, wander around and see what I can get into. I plan on going to find spearmint plants, I'd read that it was good for keeping mosquitos at bay. It will be planted in pots in both the front and back yard, I sure hope it works.

Break time is over! lol I hope you all have a good afternoon and peaceful evening. Thoughts and prayers, peace and blessings.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

gloriajean — Thu, 01 May 2014 19:12:50 GMT

Cakers - also praying for that little grandson of go2girl's. Praying soon he'll have good eyesight - it's a cloudy day here, in the 40's. Just happy nothing is freezing.

Bobbiesue - Praying for your safety and healing always.

Inner Wealth - how wonderful to see you again!!! I know it's been ages, so glad you came back, yes, this thread is still going strong, 7 years now. Thank you for your kind words. You are a gem also! Keep coming!!

Lucy - nice you came by on your break!! Don't work too hard now. I can hardly wait to go outside and not be cold!!! Linus and his brothers finished the arbor now and are standing it up - good thing it's not raining. Now he can put the car back in the garage again! So sorry the tornadoes hit some close by you - that's just awful!! I'm praying for no bad storms. Nice rain, without treacherous weather to go with it.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

shorelady — Thu, 01 May 2014 19:51:08 GMT

Good Thursday Afternoon:

Nothing new regarding DH's testing and treatment. We are waiting to hear if he needs further testing so they can make a definite plan for treatment. We have an appointment next Wednesday, which should hopefully give us answers and then we can "forge" ahead. The waiting and waiting is what is stressful and nerve racking. Yesterday's appointment just gave us a list of options if surgery cannot be done.

Everyone of you dear ladies is so special. Your prayers and thoughts are appreciated more than you know. Right now I feel they are the only things we have to hold on to. And I include each of you in my prayers.

I am going to my granddaughter's First Communion on Saturday by myself. They live out of state, and DH tends to "run out of steam" quickly (as he puts it). So an almost 4-hour ride would not be the best thing for him. We are both upset he cannot attend, but sometimes you just have to do what is best at the time.

Thank you again for caring. Enjoy your weekend. I don't think I will be back here till Monday.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

Bobbi sue — Thu, 01 May 2014 19:55:20 GMT

Shorelady, I left a message for you on the beauty thread.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

gloriajean — Thu, 01 May 2014 23:37:14 GMT

shorelady - thanks much for sharing - God is with you, don't ever forget that! He's with you all the way! That's a lot of driving by yourself for the First Communion! Be careful, and I'll pray for your safe trip both ways. God bless you!!