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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/1052730#M393992</link>
    <description>&lt;P&gt;Hello my friends!  Well tonight is Angie's last night here with us - we'll miss her, but are grateful for our nice time together all week!  Tonight we were at Lori's for supper - she made ribs and after we ate we played the bag bean game - where you throw a little sack of beans to try to hit the middle of a board - anyway - it's fun!  We played quite a few games and then went in the house a bit yet - the weather couldn't have been nicer.  Now she went to bed and LInus is about to, so here I am.  Thanks Cakers, Harlene and Lucy for your posts - and Lucy for your graphics and sharings and we'll pray for all your intentions.  Another blessing was that at Mass tonight - here Father introduced us to a man who is a drummer, and will be playing at the Bazaar (Festival) in Sept. He's in Nashville, Tenn. and plays there. He brought his Mom to Church and he played drums with the choir. Ok, then when Father mentioned he came from Pierz, MN - well, that's my home town - and we (Angie and I) had to talk to him, here if his Mom is a sister to one of our classmates.  And also her husband she said was good friends with my brother who got killed in a plane crash right after we married.  Yes, we had such a nice visit with them both after Mass and with Father. Small world! What a blessing!!!&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;We don't choose how or when we will die, but we do decide how we will live.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Lord, forgive my frequent drifting and help me to see clearly the best path&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;for me.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &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;"Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;~Matthew 18:20&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;"Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." The&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;spirit of God can come upon God's followers when they are all together&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;at one time, in one place, and with one accord.  When two or three&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;consecrated souls are together at a meeting place, the spirit of God is&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;there to help and guide them.  Where any sincere group of people are&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;together, reverently seeking the help of God, God's power and God's&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;spirit are there to inspire them.&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 be in accord with the members of my group.  I pray&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;that I may feel the strength of a consecrated group.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Here's some food for thought:&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;FROGS&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Author Unknown&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A group of frogs was traveling through the woods, and two of them fell&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;they would never get out.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;pit. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;as dead.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;out.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;When he got out, the other frogs asked him, "Why did you continue&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;jumping Didn't you hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;------------ --------- --------&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;This story teaches two lessons:&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the day.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;your path.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The power of words....it is sometimes hard to understand that an&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;May your words be a blessing to someone today.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Cell Phone vs. Bible. Get ready to be stepped on.  Just say ouch!&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;  I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;like we treat our cell phones.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;         What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;          What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;           What if we flipped through it several times a day?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;          What if we used it to receive messages from the text?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;         What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;                  What if we gave it to kids as gifts?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;                   What if we used it as we traveled?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;               What if we used it in case of an emergency?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;            What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;    Something to make you say hmmmmmm, and where is my Bible?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A Perfect Heart&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;and they all admired his heart, for it was perfect. There was not a mark or &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;a flaw in it.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Yes, they all agreed, it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;seen. The young man was very proud, and boasted more loudly about his &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;beautiful heart.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said "Why, your &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd and the young man &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly, but was full of &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;scars. It had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;but they didn't fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The people stared. How can he say his heart is more beautiful?, they &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;thought.The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;laughed. "You must be joking," he said. "Compare your heart with mine. Mine &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears." "Yes," said the old man, &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;scar represents a person to whom I have given my love. I tear out a piece of &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren't &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the love we shared. Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;other person hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;gouges - giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;you see what true beauty is?"&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;his old, scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man's heart. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"  HER SWEET VOICE  "&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;In contemplating the Mother of our Lord&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Meditating upon her as Mother of the Word&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I hear her sweet, soft, tender voice&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;And I feel my soul in gratitude rejoice.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;What does she say to one such as me;&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;To ponder such, how the possibility?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;She would say, "Child, follow my Son.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;By His Blood your soul He has won."&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Her voice is sweet, soft and tender&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;To her, reverence and love we render&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;We pray her Holy Rosary alone and together&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;And plead her graces in all kinds of weather.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Speak, Mother, your children are listening&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Your holy purity and radiance are glistening;&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Our souls are alit with the fire of  love&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;As you show us the way to heav'n above&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;To Father, Son and Holy Spirit&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Teaching us never to fear it&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;But to everlastingly endear it.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;We hear your sweet and tender voice&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;And our souls within us gladly rejoice.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;? Mel Patterson, 7-1-09&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"God is as close as we permit Him to be."&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Mel&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://www.poemhunter.com/mel-carmela-patterson/poems/" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.poemhunter.com/mel-carmela-patterson/poems/&lt;/A&gt;&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;TO BE THANKFUL FOR&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;The mess to clean after a party because it means I have been&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;surrounded by friends.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;to eat.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;sunshine.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;need fixing because it means I have a home.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;have freedom of speech.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The space I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;am capable of walking.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I can hear.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;wear.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;have been productive.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;that I'm alive.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Getting too much email bogs me down but at least I know I have&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;friends who are thinking of me.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when The alarm rings, thank&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you Lord,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;toast is burned and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for My family.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;There are many who are lonely.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the food we have. There are many who are hungry;&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though the routine of my job often is hard, thank you, Lord, for&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Pass this on to the friends you know.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A friend is someone we treasure for our friendship is a gift.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A friend is someone who fills our lives with Beauty, Joy, and Grace&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;and  makes the world we live in A Better and Happier Place.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;</description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2014 04:40:08 GMT</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>gloriajean</dc:creator>
    <dc:date>2014-07-13T04:40:08Z</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/1052730#M393992</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Hello my friends!  Well tonight is Angie's last night here with us - we'll miss her, but are grateful for our nice time together all week!  Tonight we were at Lori's for supper - she made ribs and after we ate we played the bag bean game - where you throw a little sack of beans to try to hit the middle of a board - anyway - it's fun!  We played quite a few games and then went in the house a bit yet - the weather couldn't have been nicer.  Now she went to bed and LInus is about to, so here I am.  Thanks Cakers, Harlene and Lucy for your posts - and Lucy for your graphics and sharings and we'll pray for all your intentions.  Another blessing was that at Mass tonight - here Father introduced us to a man who is a drummer, and will be playing at the Bazaar (Festival) in Sept. He's in Nashville, Tenn. and plays there. He brought his Mom to Church and he played drums with the choir. Ok, then when Father mentioned he came from Pierz, MN - well, that's my home town - and we (Angie and I) had to talk to him, here if his Mom is a sister to one of our classmates.  And also her husband she said was good friends with my brother who got killed in a plane crash right after we married.  Yes, we had such a nice visit with them both after Mass and with Father. Small world! What a blessing!!!&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;We don't choose how or when we will die, but we do decide how we will live.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Lord, forgive my frequent drifting and help me to see clearly the best path&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;for me.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &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;"Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;~Matthew 18:20&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;"Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." The&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;spirit of God can come upon God's followers when they are all together&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;at one time, in one place, and with one accord.  When two or three&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;consecrated souls are together at a meeting place, the spirit of God is&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;there to help and guide them.  Where any sincere group of people are&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;together, reverently seeking the help of God, God's power and God's&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;spirit are there to inspire them.&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 be in accord with the members of my group.  I pray&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;that I may feel the strength of a consecrated group.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Here's some food for thought:&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;FROGS&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Author Unknown&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A group of frogs was traveling through the woods, and two of them fell&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;they would never get out.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;pit. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;as dead.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;out.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;When he got out, the other frogs asked him, "Why did you continue&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;jumping Didn't you hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;------------ --------- --------&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;This story teaches two lessons:&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the day.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;your path.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The power of words....it is sometimes hard to understand that an&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;May your words be a blessing to someone today.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Cell Phone vs. Bible. Get ready to be stepped on.  Just say ouch!&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;  I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;like we treat our cell phones.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;         What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;          What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;           What if we flipped through it several times a day?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;          What if we used it to receive messages from the text?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;         What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;                  What if we gave it to kids as gifts?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;                   What if we used it as we traveled?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;               What if we used it in case of an emergency?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;            What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;    Something to make you say hmmmmmm, and where is my Bible?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A Perfect Heart&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;and they all admired his heart, for it was perfect. There was not a mark or &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;a flaw in it.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Yes, they all agreed, it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;seen. The young man was very proud, and boasted more loudly about his &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;beautiful heart.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said "Why, your &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd and the young man &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly, but was full of &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;scars. It had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;but they didn't fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The people stared. How can he say his heart is more beautiful?, they &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;thought.The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;laughed. "You must be joking," he said. "Compare your heart with mine. Mine &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears." "Yes," said the old man, &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"Yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;scar represents a person to whom I have given my love. I tear out a piece of &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren't &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the love we shared. Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;other person hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;gouges - giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;you see what true beauty is?"&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;his old, scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man's heart. &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"  HER SWEET VOICE  "&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;In contemplating the Mother of our Lord&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Meditating upon her as Mother of the Word&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I hear her sweet, soft, tender voice&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;And I feel my soul in gratitude rejoice.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;What does she say to one such as me;&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;To ponder such, how the possibility?&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;She would say, "Child, follow my Son.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;By His Blood your soul He has won."&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Her voice is sweet, soft and tender&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;To her, reverence and love we render&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;We pray her Holy Rosary alone and together&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;And plead her graces in all kinds of weather.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Speak, Mother, your children are listening&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Your holy purity and radiance are glistening;&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Our souls are alit with the fire of  love&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;As you show us the way to heav'n above&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;To Father, Son and Holy Spirit&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Teaching us never to fear it&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;But to everlastingly endear it.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;We hear your sweet and tender voice&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;And our souls within us gladly rejoice.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;? Mel Patterson, 7-1-09&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;"God is as close as we permit Him to be."&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Mel&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://www.poemhunter.com/mel-carmela-patterson/poems/" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.poemhunter.com/mel-carmela-patterson/poems/&lt;/A&gt;&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;TO BE THANKFUL FOR&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;The mess to clean after a party because it means I have been&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;surrounded by friends.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;to eat.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;sunshine.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;need fixing because it means I have a home.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;have freedom of speech.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The space I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;am capable of walking.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;I can hear.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;wear.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;have been productive.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;that I'm alive.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Getting too much email bogs me down but at least I know I have&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;friends who are thinking of me.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when The alarm rings, thank&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you Lord,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost,&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;toast is burned and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for My family.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;There are many who are lonely.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the food we have. There are many who are hungry;&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though the routine of my job often is hard, thank you, Lord, for&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Pass this on to the friends you know.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A friend is someone we treasure for our friendship is a gift.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;A friend is someone who fills our lives with Beauty, Joy, and Grace&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;and  makes the world we live in A Better and Happier Place.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2014 04:40:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/1052730#M393992</guid>
      <dc:creator>gloriajean</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2014-07-13T04:40:08Z</dc:date>
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    <item>
      <title>Re: Daily Positive Thread for Sunday</title>
      <link>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/1052735#M393994</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Blessings to all who post and read here.  I am still very weak and have several tests scheduled for this month.  I ask for your prayers.  I have put my faith in Jesus and I trust Him.  I just need to get through these tests so I can have surgery and get this taken care of.&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;I hope you all have a good day in the Lord.&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2014 12:16:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/1052735#M393994</guid>
      <dc:creator>Bobbi sue</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2014-07-13T12:16:57Z</dc:date>
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    <item>
      <title>Re: Daily Positive Thread for Sunday</title>
      <link>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/1052740#M393996</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Good Sunday Morning Ladies:&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Gloriajean&lt;/STRONG&gt;......Your story of the Perfect Heart brought tears to my eyes.  Right now it feels as though I have too many empty spaces in mine.  I have hope that things will get better, but I do know one thing.  And that one thing is that there will be a huge empty space no matter what.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Bobbisue&lt;/STRONG&gt;.......I continue to pray for you and that you may have a good outcome from the tests.  You are so right.  We can only place our lives in God's hands.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;To all the posters here&lt;/STRONG&gt;......Thank you again for all you comforting words.  I continue to pray for everyone and hope your days are filled with love.  God Bless.&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2014 12:46:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/1052740#M393996</guid>
      <dc:creator>shorelady</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2014-07-13T12:46:59Z</dc:date>
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    <item>
      <title>Re: Daily Positive Thread for Sunday</title>
      <link>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/1052745#M394000</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Lucy, praying for your Brother in law and cousin.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Bobbiesue, praying you get good results from the tests you have to take.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Gloriajean, I guess you and Linus are getting pretty excited about your big day coming up. Today Dave and I are celebrating our 46th. wedding anniversary.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Counting my blessings, Dave being the main one.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Harlene(lovestopaint)&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2014 14:05:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/1052745#M394000</guid>
      <dc:creator>lovestopaint</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2014-07-13T14:05:37Z</dc:date>
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    <item>
      <title>Re: Daily Positive Thread for Sunday</title>
      <link>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/1052750#M394004</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Bobbiesue - praying for your strength to return and good results for your tests. Thanks for posting here - we always want to know how you are.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;shorelady - I'm sure eveyone has that huge empty space in your heart no matter what when you lose a loved one.  I did when I lost my parents and only brother within a year and a half! I was just 25. Time heals, but you never forget your loved ones.  I still have all my sisters who are in their 80's and my oldest is 91 and in good health.&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt;Harlene - Happy 46th Wedding Anniversary, dear friend!!  What did you do to celebrate it? Go out to eat?  We are too busy now to be excited about the Anniversary party - too much to do!&lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt; &lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 2014 03:56:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Sunday/m-p/1052750#M394004</guid>
      <dc:creator>gloriajean</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2014-07-14T03:56:15Z</dc:date>
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