topic Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday in Community Chat

Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

gloriajean — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 03:24:12 GMT

Hello my friends! Today I got my Tablet - it's a Sumsung one, an early Christmas present so that I can learn how to use it for my list etc. when we're gone to Texas for Christmas. It even has a keyboard. I am not sure I'll know how to do this thread on there, but I'm learning - I just got it from Lori tonight. She already got me hooked up to both emails, and spent a lot of time trying to teach me things that I can do with it. First last summer I got her old smart phone when she upgraded to a new one, so that was something new for me to learn, but with her help, I'm good at it now. So she made sure she got me the Samsung tablet because it's like the phone, only bigger. Wish me luck!!! I think it will work out! That is my biggest blessing for today! Also another one, she had us over for chili, and it was delicious!! She sure does a lot for us - but we do alot for her too, and she appreciates it. Like this weekend she's arranged for a sister's weekend for us - and is picking up Deil, Sister LaDonna, and bringing us to Ethel's - and Erma will be there too, she's getting better! Praying for you all!!

God gives abundantly to those who pass His gifts on to others. Lord, let

Your blessings flow in to me and then out from me. I will neither be

selfish

nor let my gifts stagnate.

Scripture for the day:

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the

things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set

their minds on the things of the Spirit." ~Romans 8:5

Meditation for the day:

God can draw us all closer to God in the bonds of the spirit. God

would have all people drawn closer to each other in the bonds of the

spirit. God, the great spirit of the universe, of which each of our

spirits is a part, wants unity with God and all God's children.

"Unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace." Each experience of our

life, of joy, of sorrow, of danger, of safety, of difficulty, of

success, of hardship, of ease, each can be accepted as part of our

common lot, n the bonds of the spirit.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may welcome the bonds of true fellowship. I pray that I

may be brought closer to unity with God and other people.

May God bless you with discomfort

at easy answers, half truths, superficial relationships,

so that you will live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger

at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,

so that you will work for justice, equality and peace.

May God bless you with tears

to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war,

so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them and change their pain

into joy.

And may God bless you with the foolishness

to think that you can make a difference in the world,

so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.

By a misplaced blow with a hammer, a man smashed one of his thumbs.

"That's too bad," said a friend, when he heard about the accident.

But the man was a kind of philosopher. He replied, "No, it isn't. It is one

of the best things that ever happened to me. It taught me to appreciate

thumb. I never knew its value to me before. On the first day, by actual

count, I found out after I injured my thumb, that there were 257 things I

had been doing with my thumb everyday in my life, without giving it a

thought. And I never realized that my thumb is practically indispensable to

me."

We never seem to value our commonest blessings until we are deprived of

them. Someone has remarked (evidently from personal experience) that the

best thing that can happen to us is to lose everything we've got and then

get it all back again.

The second time around, we'll treasure it and appreciate it much much more.

TIME TO THINK

Author Unknown

My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and

lifted out a tissue-wrapped package.

"This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the

tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and

trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical

figure on it was still attached. "Jan bought this the first time we

went to New York, at

least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a

special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion." He took the

slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were

taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a

moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me. "Don't ever

save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a

special occasion."

I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that

followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores

that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane

returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister's

family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn't seen or

heard or done. I thought about the things that she had done without

realizing that they were special.

I'm still thinking about his words, and they've changed my life. I'm

reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting on the deck and admiring

the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending

more time with my family and friends and less time in committee

meetings. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to

savor, not endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and

cherish them. I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and

crystal for every special event-such as losing a pound, getting the

sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom. I wear my good blazer to

the market if I like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can

shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing. I'm

not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware

stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my

party-going friends. "Someday" and "one of these days" are losing

their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing,

I want to see and hear and do it now.

I'm not sure what my sister would've done had she known that she

wouldn't be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she

would have called family members and a few close friends. She might

have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past

squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese

dinner, her favorite food. I'm guessing - I'll never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I

knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good

friends whom I was going to get in touch with - "someday". Angry

because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write -

one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and

daughter often enough how much I truly love them.

I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that

would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I

open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special.

Every day, every minute, every breath truly is... a gift from God.

If you've received this it is because someone cares for you. If you're

too busy to take the few minutes that it would take right now to

forward this to ten people, would it be the first time you didn't do

that little thing that would make a difference in your relationships?

I can tell you it certainly won't be the last. Take a few minutes to

send this to a few people you care about, just to let them know that

you're thinking of them.

May God litter your life with blessings!

"You've got to dance like nobody's watching, and love like it's never

going to hurt."

"People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends

don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always

be there."

My Prayer For You

May the good Lord bless

And keep you

Each hour of every day,

And be the light that guides you

Each step along life´s way.

May He comfort and sustain you

When things perplex your mind,

May He be your inspiration

Your lofty goals to find.

May He be with you in spirit

And help your burdens bear,

May He ever find you worthy

Of His tender love and care.

Written by: Harold F. Mohn

Shake It Off and Step Up

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the

farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule "braying," or whatever mules do

when they fall into wells.

After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the

mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble

of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had

happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the

well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors

continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...a thought struck him. It

suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his

back...HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow.

"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step

up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or

distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept

right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted,

STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! that seemed like it would

bury him, actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he

handled his adversity.

THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and

refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...THE ADVERSITIES THAT

COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND

BLESS US! Remember that FORGIVENESS--FAITH--PRAYER-- PRAISE and HOPE...all

are excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which

we find ourselves!

As in nature and in the arts, so in grace: it is rough treatment that gives

souls, as well as stones, their luster. The more the diamond is cut, the

brighter it sparkles, and in what seems hard dealings God has no end in view

but to perfect our graces. --Thomas Guthrie (1803-1873)

Calamity is the perfect glass wherein we truly see and know ourselves. --Sir

William Davenant (1606-1668)

As the sea is subject to storm and tempests, so is every man in the

world. --John Donne (1572-1631)

Men think that God is destroying them when he is tuning them. --Henry Ward

Beecher (1813-1887)

On the top of those very billows which look as if they would overwhelm us

walks the Son of God. --Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

"Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of

witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily

ensnares us, and let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us,

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy

that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat

down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured

such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and

discouraged in your souls." Hebrews 12:1-3

SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP...Father, may those who read these words drive them

deep into their minds, that when the next trial faces them, they endure it

with new found strength and understanding. Help us to see you in ALL things.

"And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Let us enter into the reality of this scripture. Amen.

-- Gary Amirault

~ THE POWER OF HABIT ~

I am your constant companion.

I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.

I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.

I am completely at your command.

Half the things you do you might as well turn over to

me,

And I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me.

Show me exactly how you want something done,

And after a few lessons I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of all great individuals

And, alas, of all failures as well.

Those who are great I have made great

Those who are failures I have made failures.

I am not a machine,

Though I work with all the precision of a machine

Plus the intelligence of a human being.

You may run me for profit or run me for ruin;

It makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me,

And I will put the world at your feet

Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.

Who am I?

I am habit!

Author Unknown

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

lovestopaint — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 12:44:02 GMT

Hey Gloria, congratulations on your new Samsung Tablet. My husband has one and he loves it. As far as we are concerned it is better than the I Pad because you can add memory to it, you can't do that with the I Pad and it is much more expensive. Lori made the right choice for you. I got a Kindle fire which suits me just fine, I mostly do a lot of reading, I love mysteries mostly James Patterson, and some games mostly Solitaire.

Cakers1 I'm praying for your family member, I hope they get better real soon.

DoubleJ Merle is also in my prayers.

Counting my blessings, and blessings to all.

Harlene(lovestopaint)

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

lovestopaint — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 12:45:43 GMT

P.S. Bluegrassbaby, WELCOME!

Harlene(lovestopaint)

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

HeresLucy — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 14:19:27 GMT

Good morning!

I think you will enjoy your tablet, Gloria. What a sweet thing for Lori to do. I also have a Kindle Fire that I'm still learning. My 12 & 8 yr old grandsons know way more than I'll ever know when it comes to computers, tablets, phones, it seems they can pick one up and BAM. lol Your sisters weekend sounds like a lot of fun, indeed a blessing.

bluegrassbaby, I going out on a limb and say you must be from Kentucky. I had a hint! lol I love your graphic and I'm going to share it. I love the song, showers of blessings, humming now.

Harlene, how are you feeling? I hope better. You will have to tell me how I can access books on the kindle, I have no earthly idea.

I spent yesterday out and about running errands. It was such a nice day but it got hot and humid. The a/c ran all day and a good part of the night. There goes that power bill. The cool snap we had last week is just a mere memory. "sigh"

Have a good day and may the Lord bless you will all good things.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

gloriajean — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 14:39:46 GMT

Good Morning! Well today I get a tooth filled - and maybe get in for my bladder condition, for anti-biotics. It was fine yesterday though, anyway pray for me! And bluegrassbaby, so happy for you for your very special blessing!!! God is good - all the time! Thanks for your nice graphic. I was playing with the tablet before going to bed - I found where I can send out my list, and QVC but not the forums, so will have to study it some more.

Harlene - Lori's other Massage Therapist that works with her has a tablet and an ipad, and says she likes the tablet much better! She helped Lori set mine up yesterday. I thought that is what you had.

Lucy - another nice graphic to see - they are so nice. And yes, that is a very nice, thoughtful gift for Christmas from both girls. And to get it early is extra special so I can learn it before the trip. We have wi-fi so had that put in last night here, Lori's has hers in and her office has it in. On the trip in December, we will stay at a super 8 where two dogs can be too, and hope they have wi-fi so I can do my list there. Can't in the car.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

HeresLucy — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 14:43:27 GMT

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

Bobbi sue — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 15:10:28 GMT

Hello to Bluegrass...I am Barb. It is nice to meet you and I'm glad you're posting here. Gloria is a treasure as well as the other ladies who post here. Welcome! Did I spell your name right? Oh! it is Bluegrassbaby. Well welcome anyway. God bless you.

My blessing is that I got a nice email from Sam. He is fine and thank you all for praying for him. I am going to the grocery store today and stock up on food. I am going through my clothes and giving away what I no longer wear. Someone can get some good out of them.

Gloria, your tablet sounds great. You are more savy with electronic things tan I. Have fun. I did not know you were going to Texas for the holidays. It is warm there. Have a great time.

Blessings to all of you and may Jesus answer all your prayers. Pray for America. We need it!

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

Cakers1 — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 15:20:44 GMT

Good Morning everyone.

Gloriajean: So nice you have a tablet! Good you are getting that infection checked.

Harlene: Thank you so much. It means a lot to me.

bluegrassbaby: Good to see you each day.

Lucy: Your graphic about fear and worry today hits home in a big way. Thank you!

bobbiesue: Have a peaceful day.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

gloriajean — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 23:34:22 GMT

Barb - so nice you got a nice email from Sam. Sounds like he's a lot better now. It's nice to give away your excess clothes - and others can make use of them, and you can get your closet emptied out. We are planning a trip to see Darla for Christmas in Arlington, Texas leaving here December 18 coming back before New Year's. I haven't had time for the tablet today - early this morning I tried to send out my list - it wouldn't send, then a sign said it needed to be charged. It is still being charged!

Cakers - a Miracle happened! I wasn't able to get an appointment with Carol, my Nurse Practitioner until December, but got a call today she had a cancellation. Just got back now, and I do need antibiotics now - this was going on too long, and after that I can get some Young Living dropplets that will keep it away!