Daily Positive Thread for Ash Wednesday

gloriajean — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:17:44 GMT

We can show God that we truly love Him by the way we speak and live.
May I be inspiring, Lord, and may everyone that I meet find You.

Scripture for the day:

"Be still and know that I am God." ~Psalm 46:10

Meditation for the day:

I can try to keep my life calm and unruffled. This is my great task, to
find peace and acquire serenity. I need not harbor disturbing thoughts.
No matter what fears, worries and resentments I may have, I can try to think
of constructive things until calmness comes. Only when I am calm can I act
as a channel for God's spirit.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may build up instead of tearing down. I pray that I may be
constructive and not destructive.

Hello my friends! With Lent starting I'll be posting some Lenten things as
I do each year - and that should put us in the mood for our Lenten Journey.
I'm wishing each and every one of you a very blessed Lent - a spring
cleaning of our souls. I may have told you this already, but one of my
favorite pastors, Fr. Landelin, would tell us each year that every Lent we
should get rid of a bad habit, and keep it off - not going back to it after
Easter. I always remember this and a lot of good things he taught us. He
was very wise and very loving and I still miss him. Today was a quiet day -
he was working - and I did the usual cleaning etc. so it was an ordinary day
filled with blessings. Sammy was all well again, what a blessing that is!
Got a call from Lori - another blessing. And last night Darla called - she
did get the offer of that job but she needs to negotiate yet and really
decide if that's what she wants. She was in bed with a migraine, and was so
sore. We pray and pray for her healing - and hope she won't have to suffer
so long yet. Lori's birthday is Friday and we were talking about that too.
Tonight I called Sister LaDonna - she has her sewing machine there, and she
is very busy sewing. She made a pillow case for her pillow she got in
Medjudgorje and now she's making herself a pair of pajamas - got lots of
material from our sister, Deil. She was wondering how to get games for her
computer that she doesn't have to buy and I told her about AARP.org and hope
there'll be just the right ones there for her to enjoy - when she has time,
that is.

FORGIVE AND FEEL THE STRENGTH
Weakness in another person can be contagious. One very good way to
catch that weakness for yourself is with resentment.
And the best way to avoid taking on the weakness of others is with
forgiveness. Forgiveness frees you to be strong and to look forward.
What others may have said or done or failed to do cannot be changed now.
What you can do now is to begin moving beyond the pain with sincere
forgiveness.
With forgiveness, you are no longer a victim. With forgiveness, you
take control of your own destiny.
Forgiveness does not mean that you support or endorse what happened.
Forgiveness means that you are bigger than what happened, and
confident enough to move on past it.

Forgive, and stop poisoning your own life with the past transgressions
of others. Forgive, and feel the strength of your own integrity.
PSALMS 55:22

Practice Living in the Spirit

Step One - Being Good
In accord with the laws of God, we need to try and be good, live uprightly,
and never take advantage of others. Jesus tells us that: “Whatever you wish
that men would do to you, do so to them” (Matthew 7:12). The Catechism of
the Catholic Church tells us that: “Human virtues . . . govern our actions,
order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith.
They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good
life. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good” (CCC, 1804).

Step Two - Learning To Walk in the Spirit
In chapter 16 of Mathew’s Gospel (and chapter 8 of Mark’s), we read of two
moments when Peter tried to do the good and right thing. On one occasion, he
was told — it is of God. On the next occasion, he was told — it is of Satan.
In time, Peter learned to discern the difference between what is of God and
what is not of God. How? Through prayer and through examination and
reflection on his thoughts, actions, and decisions. We need to pray and try
to stay as close as we can to God. We need to try and sense what God might
be trying to say to us. This is why we need to watch our behavior. I am sure
that Peter’s ability to discern and differentiate good from bad was closely
linked to his own prayer relationship with God, the grace of the Spirit, and
Peter’s efforts to reflect on the way he thinks and acts in light of the
words and teachings of Jesus.

Step Three - Experimentation
Finally, we need to try and seek the messages of the Spirit. The Spirit will
speak to us — through sensing him in our hearts; through sensing him as we
read the Scripture; through sensing him as we attend Mass, receive the
Eucharist, and pray; through sensing him as we examine our lives and repent
for any wrongdoing. God can and does speak to us — we just need to learn how
to set our eyes on him, be open to his words, and be changed by them. We
need to try and ask the Spirit to guide us.

Give Me Strength...

Grant me strength, Dear Lord, I pray,
Control my life, don't let me stray.
When I feel angered, help me see,
That I can place my trust in Thee.

When I feel I'm sinking low,
Hold me, Lord, don't let go.
Don't let Satan have his way,
For I know he'd lead me astray.

Make me strong when I feel weak,
Let my ears listen when You speak.
Let not my faith diminish in Thee,
But save my soul and set me free.

Forgive me when I start to doubt
What faith and trust are all about.
Hold me Lord, in the darkest night,
Take away my fear and fright.

May Your voice be one, I always hear,
Saying to me, "I'm always near".
"I'll walk with you and guide you well,
But you My child, must not rebel".

Lord, I love you, forgive my fears,
Please dry my eyes from all these tears.
May I always place my trust in You,
Remembering, Lord, You've always been true.

(Ruth Ann Mahaffey)

- - -
Galatians 6:9 - So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not
give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest.

IF YOU...
Author Unknown

The Savior's words...

**If you never felt pain,
Then how would you know that I'm a Healer?

**If you never went through difficulty,
How would you know that I'm a Deliverer?

**If you never had a trial,
How could you call yourself an overcomer?

**If you
never felt sadness,
How would you know that I'm a Comforter?

**If you
never made a mistake,
How would you know that I'm forgiving?

**If you knew all,
How would you know that I will answer your questions?

**If you never were in trouble,
How would you know that I will come to your rescue?

**If you never were broken,
Then how would you know that I can make you whole?

**If you never had a problem,
How would you know that I can solve them?

**If you never had any suffering,
Then how would you know what I went through?

**If you never went through the fire,
Then how would you become pure?

**If I gave you all things,
How would you appreciate them?

**If I never corrected you,
How would you know that I love you?

**If you had all power,
Then how would you learn to depend on me?

**If your life was perfect,
Then what would you need Me for?

Coincidence or Miracle?

I was asked the other day if I believed in coincidences.

I said that, "No I don't believe that there are any coincidences in this
life. I do believe that there are miracles in this life, however. I see more
proof of them everyday."

Just look at the world around us. Is it a coincidence that the sun rose so
beautifully today that it filled countless hearts and souls with wonder,
love, peace, and joy?

It seemed more like a miracle to me. Is it a coincidence that life developed
so intelligently and perfectly on this world?

Is it coincidences that birds know to fly south each winter, that the
seasons change and flowers bloom each spring, and that thousands upon
thousands of different plants and animals live, grow, and thrive here?

It seems to me more like a hundred million miracles created by a glorious,
joyous mind and a loving hand.

Look at your own lives as well. Is it a coincidence that you accidently
walked into the wrong room and met the person who changed your life and
blessed you with love?

Is it a coincidence that you followed a silent urge to turn off the road
before you had to and later learned you avoided a deadly accident because of
it?

Is it a coincidence that you were on the verge of despair and then heard a
song, or read a line, or got a call that lifted your spirits and
strengthened your soul once again?

Are they all coincidences or are they all little miracles created by God and
His angels to guide you, protect you and help you to ever greater love, joy,
and goodness in your life?

Embrace the miracles in your life then. Embrace the miracle of life. Rejoice
in these miracles and use them to choose and share ever more love and joy
with others.

It's not a coincidence that God put you in their life. You're there to share
his miracle of life!

Celebrate in the knowledge that you are loved, cared for, and watched over
by God and always remember that Life is full of Miracles not coincidences.

Prayer is joy,
prayer is love,
prayer is peace.
You cannot explain it,
you must experience prayer.
It is not impossible.
God gives it for the asking.
"Ask and you shall receive."
The father knows what to give his children
- how much more our heavenly
Father knows.

- BL. MOTHER TERESA -

Have a very blessed Lenten Season as we grow more in holiness. We are all
called to be holy - which we should always strive for. Enjoy God's
blessings - even the everyday ordinary ones! God be with you!

topic Daily Positive Thread for Ash Wednesday in Community Chat

Daily Positive Thread for Ash Wednesday