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    <title>topic Daily Positive Thread for Monday in Community Chat</title>
    <link>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Monday/m-p/166770#M71188</link>
    <description>&lt;P&gt;Forgiveness frees the heart and moves us from the victim to the one who&lt;BR /&gt; is in control of our lives. Lord, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive&lt;BR /&gt; those who trespass against us.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Scripture for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are&lt;BR /&gt; all the work of your hand." ~Isaiah 64:8&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Meditation for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I believe that the future is in God's hands. God knows better than I what&lt;BR /&gt; the future holds for me. I am not at the mercy of fate or buffeted about by&lt;BR /&gt; life. I am being led in a very definite way, as I try to rebuild my life. I&lt;BR /&gt; am the builder, but God is the architect. It is mine to follow God's&lt;BR /&gt; guidance and to build as best I can.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Prayer for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I pray that I may depend on God, since God has a plan for my life. I pray&lt;BR /&gt; that I may live my life as I believe God wants me to live it.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Hello my friends! Well the weekend is over - hope it was a great one for&lt;BR /&gt; you all! Today was great weather-wise, a very quiet day after Mass - Phone&lt;BR /&gt; never rang all day - I called Lori tonight - she was gone most of the day.&lt;BR /&gt; We ate our lunch - a pork roast - out in the patio - it was warm enough to&lt;BR /&gt; eat there. Hubby filled the bird feeders - hoping to outsmart the&lt;BR /&gt; squirrels. Also hoping for our cardinals to come back again! I miss them.&lt;BR /&gt; Mr and Mrs. Cardinal - Mickey and Myrtle! Maybe they'll come soon. Thanks&lt;BR /&gt; for praying for Linus that God willing, he can be selling appliances again&lt;BR /&gt; soon and have time to sit and rest his body, also for Lori. She will have&lt;BR /&gt; a birthday next Friday!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Mother Teresa's Rules &amp;amp; Beliefs to incorporate&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The dying, the cripple, the mental, the unwanted, the unloved they are Jesus&lt;BR /&gt; in disguise.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Little things are indeed little, but to be faithful in little things is a&lt;BR /&gt; great thing.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not&lt;BR /&gt; how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Nakedness is not only for a piece of clothing; nakedness is lack of human&lt;BR /&gt; dignity, and also that beautiful virtue of purity, and lack of that respect&lt;BR /&gt; for each other.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in our lives -&lt;BR /&gt; the pain, the loneliness. We must have the courage to recognize it. The poor&lt;BR /&gt; you may have right in your own family. Find them. Love them.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the&lt;BR /&gt; silence of the heart.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in&lt;BR /&gt; your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile.&lt;BR /&gt; Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you give. But the&lt;BR /&gt; less you have the more free you are. Poverty for us is a freedom. It is not&lt;BR /&gt; a mortification, a penance. It is joyful freedom. There is no television&lt;BR /&gt; here, no this, no that. But we are perfectly happy.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace,&lt;BR /&gt; because you know what you are.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as long as you&lt;BR /&gt; have done your best.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; There is only one God and He is God to all; therefore it is important that&lt;BR /&gt; everyone is seen as equal before God. I've always said we should help a&lt;BR /&gt; Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Catholic&lt;BR /&gt; become a better Catholic.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; It is a poverty to decide that an unborn child must die so that you may live&lt;BR /&gt; as you like.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If we pray, we will believe; If we believe, we will love; If we love, we&lt;BR /&gt; will serve.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; We can do no great things; only small things with great love.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; You and I, we are the Church, no? We have to share with our people.&lt;BR /&gt; Suffering today is because people are hoarding, not giving, not sharing.&lt;BR /&gt; Jesus made it very clear. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you&lt;BR /&gt; do it to me. Give a glass of water, you give it to me. Receive a little&lt;BR /&gt; child, you receive me. Clear.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to&lt;BR /&gt; love God better because of them.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live&lt;BR /&gt; and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their&lt;BR /&gt; daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and joy.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Give me courage.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I must do something.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us&lt;BR /&gt; begin.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Let's do something beautiful for God.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Christian One Liners&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Don't let your worries get the&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; best of you; remember, Moses started&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; out as a basket case.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Some people are kind, polite, and&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Many folks want to serve God,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; but only as advisors.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; It is easier to preach ten sermons&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; than it is to live one.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The good Lord didn't create anything&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; When you get to your wit's end,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; you'll find God lives there.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; People are funny; they want the front&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; of the bus, the middle of the road, and&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; the back of the church..&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Opportunity may knock once, but temptation&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; bangs on your front door forever.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Quit griping about your church;&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If the church wants a better preacher,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; it only needs to pray for the one it has.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God Himself does not propose to judge&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; a man until he is dead. So why should you?&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Some minds are like concrete&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Peace starts with a smile.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I don't know why some people&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; change churches; what difference does&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; it make which one you stay home from?&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; A lot of church members who are singing&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; 'Standing on the Promises'&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; are just sitting on the premises.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; We were called to be witnesses,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; not lawyers or judges..&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Be ye fishers of men. You catch&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; them - He'll clean them.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Coincidence is when God&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; chooses to remain anonymous.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Don't put a question mark&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; where God put a period.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Don't wait for 6 strong men&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; to take you to church.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Forbidden fruits create many jams.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God doesn't call the qualified,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; He qualifies the called.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God grades on the cross, not the curve.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God loves everyone, but probably prefers&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; 'fruit of the spirit' over a 'religious nut!'&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God promises a safe landing,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; not a calm passage.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; He who angers you, controls you!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Prayer:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The task ahead of us is never as&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; great as the Power behind us.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The Will of God never takes you to&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; where the Grace of God will not protect you..&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; We don't change the message,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; the message changes us&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; You can tell how big a person is&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; by what it takes to discourage him.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The best mathematical equation&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I have ever seen:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; HOW LIFE IS MEASURED&lt;BR /&gt; Author Unknown&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose&lt;BR /&gt; husband unexpectedly and suddenly died of a heart attack.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a&lt;BR /&gt; classroom of students.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom&lt;BR /&gt; windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on&lt;BR /&gt; the edge of her desk and sat down there. With a gentle look of&lt;BR /&gt; reflection on her face, she paused and said, "Before class is over, I&lt;BR /&gt; would like to share with all of you a thought that is unrelated to&lt;BR /&gt; class, but which I feel is very important."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and&lt;BR /&gt; give of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience&lt;BR /&gt; will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is a way of&lt;BR /&gt; telling us that we must make the most out of every single day."......&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Her eyes beginning to water, she went on, "So I would like you all to&lt;BR /&gt; make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way&lt;BR /&gt; home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn't have to be&lt;BR /&gt; something you see, it could be a scent -- perhaps of freshly baked&lt;BR /&gt; bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the&lt;BR /&gt; breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the&lt;BR /&gt; morning light catches the autumn leaf as it falls gently to the&lt;BR /&gt; ground.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may&lt;BR /&gt; sound trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life. The little&lt;BR /&gt; things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for&lt;BR /&gt; granted. We must make it important to notice them, for at any&lt;BR /&gt; time...it can all be taken&lt;BR /&gt; away." The class was completely quiet. We all picked up our books and&lt;BR /&gt; filed out of the room silently.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than&lt;BR /&gt; had that whole semester. Every once in a while, I think of that&lt;BR /&gt; teacher and remember what an impression she made on all of us, and I&lt;BR /&gt; try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all overlook.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today.&lt;BR /&gt; When you go home, Go barefoot. Or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop&lt;BR /&gt; off on the way home tonight to get a double-dip ice cream cone.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "For as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often&lt;BR /&gt; regret, but the things we didn't do."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; “Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the&lt;BR /&gt; moments that take our breath away."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; It's Me Again God&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Remember me God?&lt;BR /&gt; I come everyday&lt;BR /&gt; Just to talk to you, Lord&lt;BR /&gt; And to learn how to pray&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; You make me feel welcome&lt;BR /&gt; You reach out your hand&lt;BR /&gt; I need never explain&lt;BR /&gt; For you understand&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I come to you frightened&lt;BR /&gt; And burdened with care&lt;BR /&gt; So lonely and lost&lt;BR /&gt; And so filled with despair&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; And suddenly Lord&lt;BR /&gt; I am no longer afraid&lt;BR /&gt; My burden is lighter&lt;BR /&gt; And the dark shadows fade&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Oh God what a comfort&lt;BR /&gt; To know that you care&lt;BR /&gt; And to know when I seek you&lt;BR /&gt; You will always be there&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Guide Me, Lord&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Guide me with&lt;BR /&gt; your wisdom, O Lord,&lt;BR /&gt; so that my soul&lt;BR /&gt; may always be serving you&lt;BR /&gt; in the way you will&lt;BR /&gt; and not as I choose.&lt;BR /&gt; Let me die to myself&lt;BR /&gt; so that I may serve you;&lt;BR /&gt; let me live to you who&lt;BR /&gt; are Life itself. Amen.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Today&lt;BR /&gt; by Emily McAdams&lt;BR /&gt; Since yesterday is in the past, And tomorrow you might not see. You need to&lt;BR /&gt; live to the fullest, This day God has granted to thee.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Be loving and kind to all you meet. Spread cheer and joy on your way. Say,&lt;BR /&gt; "I love you" to your loved ones, And for peace on earth you should pray.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Share your faith with lost ones as God bids all His children to do. He wants&lt;BR /&gt; not one soul left behind. One might be saved because of you.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; A lonely person you could visit, To help brighten up their day. You could&lt;BR /&gt; feed one who's hungry, Offer a place for someone to stay.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; There is so much that you can do, Before this day is through. Only but for&lt;BR /&gt; the grace of God, One of these just might be you.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Be thankful for all of your blessings. Never take them for granted at all.&lt;BR /&gt; God gives you all you need to have, And He will 'till His final call.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Be ready and always listen. For you never know when He'll say, The past and&lt;BR /&gt; future you don't need, But my child, I need you today.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Daily Prayer&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.&lt;BR /&gt; Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The Maronites and Ash Monday&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; As Maronite Catholics, the Season of Lent starts tomorrow being Ash Monday&lt;BR /&gt; (in the Roman/Latin Rite it is Ash Wednesday). Ashes are a symbol of&lt;BR /&gt; penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church to help us develop a&lt;BR /&gt; spirit of humility and sacrifice. "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you&lt;BR /&gt; shall return". The custom is from an old ceremony. Christians who had&lt;BR /&gt; committed grave faults were obliged to do public penance. On Ash Wednesday&lt;BR /&gt; the Bishop blessed the hair shirts, which they were to wear during the forty&lt;BR /&gt; days, and sprinkled over them ashes, made from the palms from the previous&lt;BR /&gt; year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the&lt;BR /&gt; penitents were turned out of the holy place because of their sins, as Adam,&lt;BR /&gt; the first man was turned out of paradise on account of his disobedience.&lt;BR /&gt; They did not enter the Church again until Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday)&lt;BR /&gt; after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and&lt;BR /&gt; sacramental absolution. Later on, all Christians, either public or secret&lt;BR /&gt; penitents, came out of devotion to receive ashes.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The prayers of this time of year stress penance (being death to self with&lt;BR /&gt; Christ) and joy (resurrection to a new person with Christ). They enable us&lt;BR /&gt; to take a greater part in the Mystery of God's redeeming plan for the whole&lt;BR /&gt; universe. Penance is the inner aversion to the evil existing in and around&lt;BR /&gt; us, and a generous conversion in love to God. Traditionally, the Lenten&lt;BR /&gt; practices of prayer and fasting were the means for achieving this&lt;BR /&gt; aversion-conversion. They are still valid but there are many other forms of&lt;BR /&gt; penance that we may use - for e.g., working for social or individual&lt;BR /&gt; justice; performing works of mercy.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit to be tempted by the&lt;BR /&gt; devil...spending forty days and forty nights [there]." - Mt 4:1-2&lt;BR /&gt; "The Season of Lent keeps inviting us, in a pressing way, to meditate on&lt;BR /&gt; this great truth: love is of God. This is a living, present reality that we&lt;BR /&gt; should never forget." - Pope John Paul II&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Dear Lord Jesus,&lt;BR /&gt; As you spent forty days in the desert to prepare for Your mission, grant&lt;BR /&gt; that my Lenten journey may prepare me to celebrate the Holy Mysteries of&lt;BR /&gt; Your Death and Resurrection. Help me Lord that all my thoughts, words and&lt;BR /&gt; actions may be according to Your will for You are gracious and merciful,&lt;BR /&gt; patient and rich in mercy to those who call on You with repentant hearts and&lt;BR /&gt; lives. Amen&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; May your new week be always blessed when you least expect it to be and your&lt;BR /&gt; ordinary days be wonderful!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:35:47 GMT</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>gloriajean</dc:creator>
    <dc:date>2012-02-20T04:35:47Z</dc:date>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Positive Thread for Monday</title>
      <link>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Monday/m-p/166770#M71188</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Forgiveness frees the heart and moves us from the victim to the one who&lt;BR /&gt; is in control of our lives. Lord, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive&lt;BR /&gt; those who trespass against us.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Scripture for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are&lt;BR /&gt; all the work of your hand." ~Isaiah 64:8&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Meditation for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I believe that the future is in God's hands. God knows better than I what&lt;BR /&gt; the future holds for me. I am not at the mercy of fate or buffeted about by&lt;BR /&gt; life. I am being led in a very definite way, as I try to rebuild my life. I&lt;BR /&gt; am the builder, but God is the architect. It is mine to follow God's&lt;BR /&gt; guidance and to build as best I can.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Prayer for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I pray that I may depend on God, since God has a plan for my life. I pray&lt;BR /&gt; that I may live my life as I believe God wants me to live it.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Hello my friends! Well the weekend is over - hope it was a great one for&lt;BR /&gt; you all! Today was great weather-wise, a very quiet day after Mass - Phone&lt;BR /&gt; never rang all day - I called Lori tonight - she was gone most of the day.&lt;BR /&gt; We ate our lunch - a pork roast - out in the patio - it was warm enough to&lt;BR /&gt; eat there. Hubby filled the bird feeders - hoping to outsmart the&lt;BR /&gt; squirrels. Also hoping for our cardinals to come back again! I miss them.&lt;BR /&gt; Mr and Mrs. Cardinal - Mickey and Myrtle! Maybe they'll come soon. Thanks&lt;BR /&gt; for praying for Linus that God willing, he can be selling appliances again&lt;BR /&gt; soon and have time to sit and rest his body, also for Lori. She will have&lt;BR /&gt; a birthday next Friday!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Mother Teresa's Rules &amp;amp; Beliefs to incorporate&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The dying, the cripple, the mental, the unwanted, the unloved they are Jesus&lt;BR /&gt; in disguise.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Little things are indeed little, but to be faithful in little things is a&lt;BR /&gt; great thing.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not&lt;BR /&gt; how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Nakedness is not only for a piece of clothing; nakedness is lack of human&lt;BR /&gt; dignity, and also that beautiful virtue of purity, and lack of that respect&lt;BR /&gt; for each other.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in our lives -&lt;BR /&gt; the pain, the loneliness. We must have the courage to recognize it. The poor&lt;BR /&gt; you may have right in your own family. Find them. Love them.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the&lt;BR /&gt; silence of the heart.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in&lt;BR /&gt; your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile.&lt;BR /&gt; Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you give. But the&lt;BR /&gt; less you have the more free you are. Poverty for us is a freedom. It is not&lt;BR /&gt; a mortification, a penance. It is joyful freedom. There is no television&lt;BR /&gt; here, no this, no that. But we are perfectly happy.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace,&lt;BR /&gt; because you know what you are.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as long as you&lt;BR /&gt; have done your best.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; There is only one God and He is God to all; therefore it is important that&lt;BR /&gt; everyone is seen as equal before God. I've always said we should help a&lt;BR /&gt; Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Catholic&lt;BR /&gt; become a better Catholic.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; It is a poverty to decide that an unborn child must die so that you may live&lt;BR /&gt; as you like.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If we pray, we will believe; If we believe, we will love; If we love, we&lt;BR /&gt; will serve.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; We can do no great things; only small things with great love.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; You and I, we are the Church, no? We have to share with our people.&lt;BR /&gt; Suffering today is because people are hoarding, not giving, not sharing.&lt;BR /&gt; Jesus made it very clear. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you&lt;BR /&gt; do it to me. Give a glass of water, you give it to me. Receive a little&lt;BR /&gt; child, you receive me. Clear.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to&lt;BR /&gt; love God better because of them.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live&lt;BR /&gt; and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their&lt;BR /&gt; daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and joy.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Give me courage.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I must do something.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us&lt;BR /&gt; begin.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Let's do something beautiful for God.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Christian One Liners&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Don't let your worries get the&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; best of you; remember, Moses started&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; out as a basket case.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Some people are kind, polite, and&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Many folks want to serve God,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; but only as advisors.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; It is easier to preach ten sermons&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; than it is to live one.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The good Lord didn't create anything&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; When you get to your wit's end,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; you'll find God lives there.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; People are funny; they want the front&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; of the bus, the middle of the road, and&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; the back of the church..&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Opportunity may knock once, but temptation&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; bangs on your front door forever.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Quit griping about your church;&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If the church wants a better preacher,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; it only needs to pray for the one it has.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God Himself does not propose to judge&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; a man until he is dead. So why should you?&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Some minds are like concrete&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Peace starts with a smile.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I don't know why some people&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; change churches; what difference does&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; it make which one you stay home from?&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; A lot of church members who are singing&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; 'Standing on the Promises'&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; are just sitting on the premises.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; We were called to be witnesses,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; not lawyers or judges..&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Be ye fishers of men. You catch&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; them - He'll clean them.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Coincidence is when God&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; chooses to remain anonymous.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Don't put a question mark&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; where God put a period.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Don't wait for 6 strong men&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; to take you to church.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Forbidden fruits create many jams.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God doesn't call the qualified,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; He qualifies the called.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God grades on the cross, not the curve.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God loves everyone, but probably prefers&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; 'fruit of the spirit' over a 'religious nut!'&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God promises a safe landing,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; not a calm passage.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; He who angers you, controls you!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Prayer:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The task ahead of us is never as&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; great as the Power behind us.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The Will of God never takes you to&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; where the Grace of God will not protect you..&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; We don't change the message,&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; the message changes us&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; You can tell how big a person is&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; by what it takes to discourage him.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The best mathematical equation&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I have ever seen:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*&lt;BR /&gt; HOW LIFE IS MEASURED&lt;BR /&gt; Author Unknown&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose&lt;BR /&gt; husband unexpectedly and suddenly died of a heart attack.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a&lt;BR /&gt; classroom of students.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom&lt;BR /&gt; windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on&lt;BR /&gt; the edge of her desk and sat down there. With a gentle look of&lt;BR /&gt; reflection on her face, she paused and said, "Before class is over, I&lt;BR /&gt; would like to share with all of you a thought that is unrelated to&lt;BR /&gt; class, but which I feel is very important."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and&lt;BR /&gt; give of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience&lt;BR /&gt; will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is a way of&lt;BR /&gt; telling us that we must make the most out of every single day."......&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Her eyes beginning to water, she went on, "So I would like you all to&lt;BR /&gt; make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way&lt;BR /&gt; home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn't have to be&lt;BR /&gt; something you see, it could be a scent -- perhaps of freshly baked&lt;BR /&gt; bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the&lt;BR /&gt; breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the&lt;BR /&gt; morning light catches the autumn leaf as it falls gently to the&lt;BR /&gt; ground.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may&lt;BR /&gt; sound trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life. The little&lt;BR /&gt; things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for&lt;BR /&gt; granted. We must make it important to notice them, for at any&lt;BR /&gt; time...it can all be taken&lt;BR /&gt; away." The class was completely quiet. We all picked up our books and&lt;BR /&gt; filed out of the room silently.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than&lt;BR /&gt; had that whole semester. Every once in a while, I think of that&lt;BR /&gt; teacher and remember what an impression she made on all of us, and I&lt;BR /&gt; try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all overlook.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today.&lt;BR /&gt; When you go home, Go barefoot. Or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop&lt;BR /&gt; off on the way home tonight to get a double-dip ice cream cone.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "For as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often&lt;BR /&gt; regret, but the things we didn't do."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; “Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the&lt;BR /&gt; moments that take our breath away."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; It's Me Again God&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Remember me God?&lt;BR /&gt; I come everyday&lt;BR /&gt; Just to talk to you, Lord&lt;BR /&gt; And to learn how to pray&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; You make me feel welcome&lt;BR /&gt; You reach out your hand&lt;BR /&gt; I need never explain&lt;BR /&gt; For you understand&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I come to you frightened&lt;BR /&gt; And burdened with care&lt;BR /&gt; So lonely and lost&lt;BR /&gt; And so filled with despair&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; And suddenly Lord&lt;BR /&gt; I am no longer afraid&lt;BR /&gt; My burden is lighter&lt;BR /&gt; And the dark shadows fade&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Oh God what a comfort&lt;BR /&gt; To know that you care&lt;BR /&gt; And to know when I seek you&lt;BR /&gt; You will always be there&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Guide Me, Lord&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Guide me with&lt;BR /&gt; your wisdom, O Lord,&lt;BR /&gt; so that my soul&lt;BR /&gt; may always be serving you&lt;BR /&gt; in the way you will&lt;BR /&gt; and not as I choose.&lt;BR /&gt; Let me die to myself&lt;BR /&gt; so that I may serve you;&lt;BR /&gt; let me live to you who&lt;BR /&gt; are Life itself. Amen.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Today&lt;BR /&gt; by Emily McAdams&lt;BR /&gt; Since yesterday is in the past, And tomorrow you might not see. You need to&lt;BR /&gt; live to the fullest, This day God has granted to thee.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Be loving and kind to all you meet. Spread cheer and joy on your way. Say,&lt;BR /&gt; "I love you" to your loved ones, And for peace on earth you should pray.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Share your faith with lost ones as God bids all His children to do. He wants&lt;BR /&gt; not one soul left behind. One might be saved because of you.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; A lonely person you could visit, To help brighten up their day. You could&lt;BR /&gt; feed one who's hungry, Offer a place for someone to stay.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; There is so much that you can do, Before this day is through. Only but for&lt;BR /&gt; the grace of God, One of these just might be you.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Be thankful for all of your blessings. Never take them for granted at all.&lt;BR /&gt; God gives you all you need to have, And He will 'till His final call.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Be ready and always listen. For you never know when He'll say, The past and&lt;BR /&gt; future you don't need, But my child, I need you today.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Daily Prayer&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.&lt;BR /&gt; Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.&lt;BR /&gt; Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The Maronites and Ash Monday&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; As Maronite Catholics, the Season of Lent starts tomorrow being Ash Monday&lt;BR /&gt; (in the Roman/Latin Rite it is Ash Wednesday). Ashes are a symbol of&lt;BR /&gt; penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church to help us develop a&lt;BR /&gt; spirit of humility and sacrifice. "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you&lt;BR /&gt; shall return". The custom is from an old ceremony. Christians who had&lt;BR /&gt; committed grave faults were obliged to do public penance. On Ash Wednesday&lt;BR /&gt; the Bishop blessed the hair shirts, which they were to wear during the forty&lt;BR /&gt; days, and sprinkled over them ashes, made from the palms from the previous&lt;BR /&gt; year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the&lt;BR /&gt; penitents were turned out of the holy place because of their sins, as Adam,&lt;BR /&gt; the first man was turned out of paradise on account of his disobedience.&lt;BR /&gt; They did not enter the Church again until Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday)&lt;BR /&gt; after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and&lt;BR /&gt; sacramental absolution. Later on, all Christians, either public or secret&lt;BR /&gt; penitents, came out of devotion to receive ashes.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The prayers of this time of year stress penance (being death to self with&lt;BR /&gt; Christ) and joy (resurrection to a new person with Christ). They enable us&lt;BR /&gt; to take a greater part in the Mystery of God's redeeming plan for the whole&lt;BR /&gt; universe. Penance is the inner aversion to the evil existing in and around&lt;BR /&gt; us, and a generous conversion in love to God. Traditionally, the Lenten&lt;BR /&gt; practices of prayer and fasting were the means for achieving this&lt;BR /&gt; aversion-conversion. They are still valid but there are many other forms of&lt;BR /&gt; penance that we may use - for e.g., working for social or individual&lt;BR /&gt; justice; performing works of mercy.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit to be tempted by the&lt;BR /&gt; devil...spending forty days and forty nights [there]." - Mt 4:1-2&lt;BR /&gt; "The Season of Lent keeps inviting us, in a pressing way, to meditate on&lt;BR /&gt; this great truth: love is of God. This is a living, present reality that we&lt;BR /&gt; should never forget." - Pope John Paul II&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Dear Lord Jesus,&lt;BR /&gt; As you spent forty days in the desert to prepare for Your mission, grant&lt;BR /&gt; that my Lenten journey may prepare me to celebrate the Holy Mysteries of&lt;BR /&gt; Your Death and Resurrection. Help me Lord that all my thoughts, words and&lt;BR /&gt; actions may be according to Your will for You are gracious and merciful,&lt;BR /&gt; patient and rich in mercy to those who call on You with repentant hearts and&lt;BR /&gt; lives. Amen&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; May your new week be always blessed when you least expect it to be and your&lt;BR /&gt; ordinary days be wonderful!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:35:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Daily-Positive-Thread-for-Monday/m-p/166770#M71188</guid>
      <dc:creator>gloriajean</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2012-02-20T04:35:47Z</dc:date>
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