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    <title>topic Wednesday's Positive Thread in Community Chat</title>
    <link>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Wednesday-s-Positive-Thread/m-p/224308#M98370</link>
    <description>&lt;P&gt;Never let the abundance of gifts from God cause you to forget the Giver.&lt;BR /&gt; Lord, may I start and end each day with a thank you to You for all of my&lt;BR /&gt; blessings including those which I take for granted.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Scripture for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the&lt;BR /&gt; face of the ground." ~Psalm 104:30&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Meditation for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Worship can be consciousness of God's divine majesty. As we pause to&lt;BR /&gt; worship, God can help us experience God's divinity. The earth is&lt;BR /&gt; filled with God's presence. God can give to us a divine power, a&lt;BR /&gt; divine love and a divine healing. We can open our minds to God and&lt;BR /&gt; try to absorb some of God's divine spirit. Pausing quietly in the&lt;BR /&gt; spirit of worship, we can turn our inward thoughts to God and realize&lt;BR /&gt; that God's divine power may be ours, that we can experience God's love&lt;BR /&gt; and healing.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Prayer for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I pray that I may worship God by sensing the eternal spirit. I pray&lt;BR /&gt; that I may experience a new power in my life.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Hello my friends! A little cooler today - thanks be to God - today I picked&lt;BR /&gt; a lot of chives, washed and cut them in small pieces, and they are in the&lt;BR /&gt; fridge now for use until I want to freeze them. I cut all there was almost&lt;BR /&gt; to the bottom, but they grow and grow! Also kale keeps growing too, and I&lt;BR /&gt; cut some of that along with parsley for use. Tomorrow I'm making some&lt;BR /&gt; chicken soup and this will go in it plus other good stuff, stuff in the&lt;BR /&gt; fridge, and some cabbage. I've been using the food processor and using&lt;BR /&gt; these for scrambled eggs, hash browns, and salads. I'm sure I find all&lt;BR /&gt; kinds of ways to use chives. Maybe you can give me some ideas too? My&lt;BR /&gt; blessings today is the more bearable weather, garden foods, hearing every&lt;BR /&gt; day how Ollie is doing, and today at work the owner of that appliance store&lt;BR /&gt; gave Linus hope again, he stopped in at Northern Tool and when he saw him,&lt;BR /&gt; he said his name came up again yesterday and they have to stop having to pay&lt;BR /&gt; so much overtime so we have more hope. Linus told him he really loves&lt;BR /&gt; selling appliances. I pray it won't be too long now and that it works out&lt;BR /&gt; for him. Linus doesn't want a job where they'll lay him off around&lt;BR /&gt; Christmas time when it's slower, so that has to be mentioned as he's a&lt;BR /&gt; little scared of that. Praying for all your intentions and thank you much&lt;BR /&gt; for praying for us.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Why Isn´t Everybody Happy?&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; We seek happiness in almost everything. Food, s$x, money, power, the usual&lt;BR /&gt; suspects.&lt;BR /&gt; And these things provide a measure of happiness, to be sure.&lt;BR /&gt; Indeed, some forms of happiness are nobler than others but even the lowest&lt;BR /&gt; are good as far as they go.&lt;BR /&gt; A really good piece of chocolate is good, but not as noble and good&lt;BR /&gt; as the happiness derived from friendship, or the love of a spouse.&lt;BR /&gt; But even these nobler forms of happiness are not, in the end, enough.&lt;BR /&gt; After that good marriage, the great job, the involvement in the charitable&lt;BR /&gt; work,&lt;BR /&gt; the adopted children, even the life of self-sacrifice such as Mother&lt;BR /&gt; Teresa's,&lt;BR /&gt; the soul still cries out for happiness which is ultimately found only in&lt;BR /&gt; God.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Compared to that happiness, all our happiness is like straw, good as it is.&lt;BR /&gt; Mother Teresa, who was wise, knew this and sought all her happiness in God,&lt;BR /&gt; where she found it.&lt;BR /&gt; We, who are often fools, seek ultimate happiness here on earth.&lt;BR /&gt; But when what is good becomes the rival of what is best, it becomes an&lt;BR /&gt; idol - the tent of the wicked.&lt;BR /&gt; That is why our life is a long process of dying to ourselves and living to&lt;BR /&gt; God.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God desires that we have what is best, not that we settle for what is second&lt;BR /&gt; best.&lt;BR /&gt; Today, ask God for what is best and receive it with joy. It's the only way&lt;BR /&gt; to happiness.&lt;BR /&gt; - - -&lt;BR /&gt; Proverbs 17:22 - Being cheerful keeps you healthy.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Thank you Lord&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Thank you Lord for all that grows,&lt;BR /&gt; Thank you for the sky's rainbows,&lt;BR /&gt; Thank you for the stars that shine,&lt;BR /&gt; Thank you for these friends of mine,&lt;BR /&gt; Thank you for the moon and sun,&lt;BR /&gt; Thank you Lord for all you've done!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Help Yourself&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; A traveling preacher finds himself in a tremendous rainstorm.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Within a few hours the hotel he is staying in becomes flooded. As the water&lt;BR /&gt; rises, the preacher climbs to the roof and starts praying.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "Lord, save me so I can continue on my mission of preaching your gospel."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Just then, a coast guard rescue party floats by in a rowboat. "Let's go&lt;BR /&gt; mister. Into the boat."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "I'll stay here," says the preacher, "The Lord will save me."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; An hour later a second boat reaches the scene and the water is close to the&lt;BR /&gt; roof of the hotel. "Sir, you better get in. the water is still rising."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "No thanks. The Lord will be my salvation."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Toward evening, the hotel is almost completely under water and the preacher&lt;BR /&gt; is clinging to the satellite dish on the roof. A helicopter is spotted and&lt;BR /&gt; on a loudspeaker is heard "HSir, grab on to the line and we will pull you&lt;BR /&gt; up. This is your last chance.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "I'm all right," says the preacher, as he looks heavenward. "I know the Lord&lt;BR /&gt; will provide sanctuary."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; As the boat departs, the satellite dish is hit by lightning and the preacher&lt;BR /&gt; is killed. When he arrived at the Pearly Gates he was furious.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "What happened, " he shouts. "I thought the Lord would provide!"&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Moments later a thunderous voice is heard. "Gimmie a break pal. I sent you 2&lt;BR /&gt; boats and a chopper"&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Our Lady, Help of Christians&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin, Help of Christians, we place ourselves&lt;BR /&gt; under your motherly protection. Throughout the Church's history you have&lt;BR /&gt; helped Christians in times of trial, temptation and danger. Time and time&lt;BR /&gt; again, you have proven to be the Refuge of sinners, the Hope of the&lt;BR /&gt; hopeless, the Consoler of the afflicted, and the Comforter of the dying. We&lt;BR /&gt; promise to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, your Son, to proclaim His&lt;BR /&gt; Good News of God's love for all people, and to work for peace and&lt;BR /&gt; justice in our world. With faith in your intercession, we pray for the&lt;BR /&gt; Church, for our family and friends, for the poor and abandoned, and all the&lt;BR /&gt; dying. Grant, O Mary, Help of Christians, the graces in which we stand in&lt;BR /&gt; need. (Mention your intentions) May we serve Jesus with fidelity and love&lt;BR /&gt; until death. Help us and out loved ones to attain the boundless joy of being&lt;BR /&gt; forever with our Father in heaven. Amen&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS, PRAY FOR US!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; [ Education for Life ]&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If you give a man fish, he will eat at once. If you teach a man to fish, he&lt;BR /&gt; will eat for the rest of his life.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If you are thinking a year ahead, sow seed. If you are thinking ten years&lt;BR /&gt; ahead, plant a tree.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If you are thinking one hundred years ahead, educate the people.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; By sowing seed, you will harvest much. By planting a tree, you will harvest&lt;BR /&gt; tenfold. By educating the people, you will harvest one hundredfold.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; A PRAYER WHEN YOU NEED PATIENCE&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Forgive me, Dear God,&lt;BR /&gt; If today I have been impatient, especially with people.&lt;BR /&gt; If today I have made anyone feel a nuisance.&lt;BR /&gt; If today I did not show understanding for others mistakes.&lt;BR /&gt; If today there were times when I was too head strong,&lt;BR /&gt; too sure I was right.&lt;BR /&gt; If today I have ridden rough shod over the feelings&lt;BR /&gt; of someone else.&lt;BR /&gt; If today I have been&lt;BR /&gt; unapproachable to talk to,&lt;BR /&gt; difficult to work with,&lt;BR /&gt; critical of others,&lt;BR /&gt; harsh and quick in my judgement.&lt;BR /&gt; I cannot undo what I have done, but help me tomorrow&lt;BR /&gt; to be more loving and kind, as you are to me. Amen.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA&lt;BR /&gt; -- Author Unknown&lt;BR /&gt; August 18, 2009&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor&lt;BR /&gt; once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very&lt;BR /&gt; brief introduction of his childhood friend. With that, an elderly man&lt;BR /&gt; stepped up to the pulpit to speak, "A father, his son, and a friend of&lt;BR /&gt; his son were&lt;BR /&gt; sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching&lt;BR /&gt; storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so&lt;BR /&gt; high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could&lt;BR /&gt; not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two&lt;BR /&gt; teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began,&lt;BR /&gt; looking somewhat interested in his story. He continued, "Grabbing a&lt;BR /&gt; rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of&lt;BR /&gt; his life....to which boy he would throw the other end of the line. He&lt;BR /&gt; only had seconds to make the&lt;BR /&gt; decision.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that&lt;BR /&gt; his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be&lt;BR /&gt; matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love&lt;BR /&gt; you, son!' he threw the line to his son's friend. By the time he&lt;BR /&gt; pulled the friend back to the&lt;BR /&gt; capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into&lt;BR /&gt; the black of night. His body was never recovered."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew,&lt;BR /&gt; waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth. "The&lt;BR /&gt; father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with&lt;BR /&gt; Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping&lt;BR /&gt; into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How&lt;BR /&gt; great is the love of God that He should do the same for us." With&lt;BR /&gt; that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence&lt;BR /&gt; filled the room.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the&lt;BR /&gt; old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the&lt;BR /&gt; boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up&lt;BR /&gt; his son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down&lt;BR /&gt; at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once&lt;BR /&gt; again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic,&lt;BR /&gt; is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives&lt;BR /&gt; me a glimpse of what&lt;BR /&gt; it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "You see....I was that father, and your pastor was my son's friend."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:42:10 GMT</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>gloriajean</dc:creator>
    <dc:date>2012-07-18T00:42:10Z</dc:date>
    <item>
      <title>Wednesday's Positive Thread</title>
      <link>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Wednesday-s-Positive-Thread/m-p/224308#M98370</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Never let the abundance of gifts from God cause you to forget the Giver.&lt;BR /&gt; Lord, may I start and end each day with a thank you to You for all of my&lt;BR /&gt; blessings including those which I take for granted.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Scripture for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the&lt;BR /&gt; face of the ground." ~Psalm 104:30&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Meditation for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Worship can be consciousness of God's divine majesty. As we pause to&lt;BR /&gt; worship, God can help us experience God's divinity. The earth is&lt;BR /&gt; filled with God's presence. God can give to us a divine power, a&lt;BR /&gt; divine love and a divine healing. We can open our minds to God and&lt;BR /&gt; try to absorb some of God's divine spirit. Pausing quietly in the&lt;BR /&gt; spirit of worship, we can turn our inward thoughts to God and realize&lt;BR /&gt; that God's divine power may be ours, that we can experience God's love&lt;BR /&gt; and healing.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Prayer for the day:&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; I pray that I may worship God by sensing the eternal spirit. I pray&lt;BR /&gt; that I may experience a new power in my life.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Hello my friends! A little cooler today - thanks be to God - today I picked&lt;BR /&gt; a lot of chives, washed and cut them in small pieces, and they are in the&lt;BR /&gt; fridge now for use until I want to freeze them. I cut all there was almost&lt;BR /&gt; to the bottom, but they grow and grow! Also kale keeps growing too, and I&lt;BR /&gt; cut some of that along with parsley for use. Tomorrow I'm making some&lt;BR /&gt; chicken soup and this will go in it plus other good stuff, stuff in the&lt;BR /&gt; fridge, and some cabbage. I've been using the food processor and using&lt;BR /&gt; these for scrambled eggs, hash browns, and salads. I'm sure I find all&lt;BR /&gt; kinds of ways to use chives. Maybe you can give me some ideas too? My&lt;BR /&gt; blessings today is the more bearable weather, garden foods, hearing every&lt;BR /&gt; day how Ollie is doing, and today at work the owner of that appliance store&lt;BR /&gt; gave Linus hope again, he stopped in at Northern Tool and when he saw him,&lt;BR /&gt; he said his name came up again yesterday and they have to stop having to pay&lt;BR /&gt; so much overtime so we have more hope. Linus told him he really loves&lt;BR /&gt; selling appliances. I pray it won't be too long now and that it works out&lt;BR /&gt; for him. Linus doesn't want a job where they'll lay him off around&lt;BR /&gt; Christmas time when it's slower, so that has to be mentioned as he's a&lt;BR /&gt; little scared of that. Praying for all your intentions and thank you much&lt;BR /&gt; for praying for us.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Why Isn´t Everybody Happy?&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; We seek happiness in almost everything. Food, s$x, money, power, the usual&lt;BR /&gt; suspects.&lt;BR /&gt; And these things provide a measure of happiness, to be sure.&lt;BR /&gt; Indeed, some forms of happiness are nobler than others but even the lowest&lt;BR /&gt; are good as far as they go.&lt;BR /&gt; A really good piece of chocolate is good, but not as noble and good&lt;BR /&gt; as the happiness derived from friendship, or the love of a spouse.&lt;BR /&gt; But even these nobler forms of happiness are not, in the end, enough.&lt;BR /&gt; After that good marriage, the great job, the involvement in the charitable&lt;BR /&gt; work,&lt;BR /&gt; the adopted children, even the life of self-sacrifice such as Mother&lt;BR /&gt; Teresa's,&lt;BR /&gt; the soul still cries out for happiness which is ultimately found only in&lt;BR /&gt; God.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Compared to that happiness, all our happiness is like straw, good as it is.&lt;BR /&gt; Mother Teresa, who was wise, knew this and sought all her happiness in God,&lt;BR /&gt; where she found it.&lt;BR /&gt; We, who are often fools, seek ultimate happiness here on earth.&lt;BR /&gt; But when what is good becomes the rival of what is best, it becomes an&lt;BR /&gt; idol - the tent of the wicked.&lt;BR /&gt; That is why our life is a long process of dying to ourselves and living to&lt;BR /&gt; God.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; God desires that we have what is best, not that we settle for what is second&lt;BR /&gt; best.&lt;BR /&gt; Today, ask God for what is best and receive it with joy. It's the only way&lt;BR /&gt; to happiness.&lt;BR /&gt; - - -&lt;BR /&gt; Proverbs 17:22 - Being cheerful keeps you healthy.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Thank you Lord&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Thank you Lord for all that grows,&lt;BR /&gt; Thank you for the sky's rainbows,&lt;BR /&gt; Thank you for the stars that shine,&lt;BR /&gt; Thank you for these friends of mine,&lt;BR /&gt; Thank you for the moon and sun,&lt;BR /&gt; Thank you Lord for all you've done!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Help Yourself&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; A traveling preacher finds himself in a tremendous rainstorm.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Within a few hours the hotel he is staying in becomes flooded. As the water&lt;BR /&gt; rises, the preacher climbs to the roof and starts praying.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "Lord, save me so I can continue on my mission of preaching your gospel."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Just then, a coast guard rescue party floats by in a rowboat. "Let's go&lt;BR /&gt; mister. Into the boat."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "I'll stay here," says the preacher, "The Lord will save me."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; An hour later a second boat reaches the scene and the water is close to the&lt;BR /&gt; roof of the hotel. "Sir, you better get in. the water is still rising."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "No thanks. The Lord will be my salvation."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Toward evening, the hotel is almost completely under water and the preacher&lt;BR /&gt; is clinging to the satellite dish on the roof. A helicopter is spotted and&lt;BR /&gt; on a loudspeaker is heard "HSir, grab on to the line and we will pull you&lt;BR /&gt; up. This is your last chance.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "I'm all right," says the preacher, as he looks heavenward. "I know the Lord&lt;BR /&gt; will provide sanctuary."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; As the boat departs, the satellite dish is hit by lightning and the preacher&lt;BR /&gt; is killed. When he arrived at the Pearly Gates he was furious.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "What happened, " he shouts. "I thought the Lord would provide!"&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Moments later a thunderous voice is heard. "Gimmie a break pal. I sent you 2&lt;BR /&gt; boats and a chopper"&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Our Lady, Help of Christians&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin, Help of Christians, we place ourselves&lt;BR /&gt; under your motherly protection. Throughout the Church's history you have&lt;BR /&gt; helped Christians in times of trial, temptation and danger. Time and time&lt;BR /&gt; again, you have proven to be the Refuge of sinners, the Hope of the&lt;BR /&gt; hopeless, the Consoler of the afflicted, and the Comforter of the dying. We&lt;BR /&gt; promise to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, your Son, to proclaim His&lt;BR /&gt; Good News of God's love for all people, and to work for peace and&lt;BR /&gt; justice in our world. With faith in your intercession, we pray for the&lt;BR /&gt; Church, for our family and friends, for the poor and abandoned, and all the&lt;BR /&gt; dying. Grant, O Mary, Help of Christians, the graces in which we stand in&lt;BR /&gt; need. (Mention your intentions) May we serve Jesus with fidelity and love&lt;BR /&gt; until death. Help us and out loved ones to attain the boundless joy of being&lt;BR /&gt; forever with our Father in heaven. Amen&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS, PRAY FOR US!&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; [ Education for Life ]&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If you give a man fish, he will eat at once. If you teach a man to fish, he&lt;BR /&gt; will eat for the rest of his life.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If you are thinking a year ahead, sow seed. If you are thinking ten years&lt;BR /&gt; ahead, plant a tree.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; If you are thinking one hundred years ahead, educate the people.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; By sowing seed, you will harvest much. By planting a tree, you will harvest&lt;BR /&gt; tenfold. By educating the people, you will harvest one hundredfold.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; A PRAYER WHEN YOU NEED PATIENCE&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Forgive me, Dear God,&lt;BR /&gt; If today I have been impatient, especially with people.&lt;BR /&gt; If today I have made anyone feel a nuisance.&lt;BR /&gt; If today I did not show understanding for others mistakes.&lt;BR /&gt; If today there were times when I was too head strong,&lt;BR /&gt; too sure I was right.&lt;BR /&gt; If today I have ridden rough shod over the feelings&lt;BR /&gt; of someone else.&lt;BR /&gt; If today I have been&lt;BR /&gt; unapproachable to talk to,&lt;BR /&gt; difficult to work with,&lt;BR /&gt; critical of others,&lt;BR /&gt; harsh and quick in my judgement.&lt;BR /&gt; I cannot undo what I have done, but help me tomorrow&lt;BR /&gt; to be more loving and kind, as you are to me. Amen.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA&lt;BR /&gt; -- Author Unknown&lt;BR /&gt; August 18, 2009&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor&lt;BR /&gt; once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very&lt;BR /&gt; brief introduction of his childhood friend. With that, an elderly man&lt;BR /&gt; stepped up to the pulpit to speak, "A father, his son, and a friend of&lt;BR /&gt; his son were&lt;BR /&gt; sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching&lt;BR /&gt; storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so&lt;BR /&gt; high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could&lt;BR /&gt; not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two&lt;BR /&gt; teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began,&lt;BR /&gt; looking somewhat interested in his story. He continued, "Grabbing a&lt;BR /&gt; rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of&lt;BR /&gt; his life....to which boy he would throw the other end of the line. He&lt;BR /&gt; only had seconds to make the&lt;BR /&gt; decision.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that&lt;BR /&gt; his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be&lt;BR /&gt; matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love&lt;BR /&gt; you, son!' he threw the line to his son's friend. By the time he&lt;BR /&gt; pulled the friend back to the&lt;BR /&gt; capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into&lt;BR /&gt; the black of night. His body was never recovered."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew,&lt;BR /&gt; waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth. "The&lt;BR /&gt; father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with&lt;BR /&gt; Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping&lt;BR /&gt; into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How&lt;BR /&gt; great is the love of God that He should do the same for us." With&lt;BR /&gt; that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence&lt;BR /&gt; filled the room.&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the&lt;BR /&gt; old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the&lt;BR /&gt; boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up&lt;BR /&gt; his son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down&lt;BR /&gt; at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once&lt;BR /&gt; again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic,&lt;BR /&gt; is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives&lt;BR /&gt; me a glimpse of what&lt;BR /&gt; it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt; "You see....I was that father, and your pastor was my son's friend."&lt;BR /&gt; &lt;BR /&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:42:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Wednesday-s-Positive-Thread/m-p/224308#M98370</guid>
      <dc:creator>gloriajean</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2012-07-18T00:42:10Z</dc:date>
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