Among Friends

[LIG1]

Hello friends~ Our sweet Gloria is off enjoying a wonderful time at a sister get-together, now through Friday afternoon. So when she asked me would I put her thread out for the next two days, I felt honored and very happy to do this for her. I realize I have some big shoes to fill, and will do my best.

Today I got some wonderful news on a biopsy from my recent mammogram...it was benign, to which I give God all the Glory! And I just wanted to thank everyone who kept me in their prayers...I am truly thankful for each and everyone of you. Whether good or bad, there's a reason and a blessing behind everything. Always have faith in blessings in disguise...they may have saved you from something worse, or brought you closer to something better. And even if neither of these are true, then they have at the very least, made you a stronger person. Always count your blessings.

Take time to learn from the mistakes of others.  We don't have time to make

all of them ourselves.  Lord, guide me onto paths that lead me to You.

S C R I P T U R E   F O R   T H E   D A Y  

"And the one who was seated on the throne said, 'See, I am making all
things new.'  Also he said, 'Write this, for these words are trustworthy
and true.'"  ~Revelation 21:5

M E D I T A T I O N   F O R   T H E   D A Y 

We can breathe in the inspiration of goodness and truth.  It is the
spirit of honesty, purity, unselfishness and love.  It is readily
available if we are willing to accept it wholeheartedly.  God has given
us two things--God's spirit and the power of choice--to accept or not,
as we will.  We have the gift of free will.  When we choose the path of
selfishness and greed and pride, we can refuse to accept God's spirit.
When we choose the path of love and service, we can accept God's spirit
and it can flow into us and makes all things new.

P R A Y E R   F O R   T H E   D A Y  

I pray that I may choose the right way.  I pray that I may try to follow
it to the end.

[LIG1]

**  10 Steps to a Blessed Day  **

1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK

If someone is rude;
If someone is impatient;
If someone is unkind ...
I will not respond in like manner.

Love is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
(1 Corinthians 13:5)

2.  TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY":

If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly,
I will quietly ask God to bless that individual.
I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, 
neighbor, co-worker or stranger.

For God so loved the world
He gave His one and only son
so that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life.  
(John 3:16)

3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:

I will carefully choose  and guard my words,
being certain that I do not spread gossip,
slander or malign anyone in any way.

Love always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres  
(1 Corinthians 13:7)

4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:

I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.
I will find ways to make life more pleasant.

Greater love has no one than this
that he lay down his life for 
his friends 
(John 15:13)

5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:

I will forgive any hurt or injuries that come my way.
(I will also work to forgive injuries that have been inflicted
upon me in the past)

God is love. 
(1 John 4:8)

6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE,
BUT I WILL DO IT SECRETLY:

I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another person.
We always thank God for you, mentioning you in our prayers. 

We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced 
by faith, your labor prompted by love,and your endurance inspired by
hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 
(1 Thessalonians 1:1-2)

7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS AS I WISH 
TO BE TREATED:

I will practice the Golden Rule - 

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"-
with everyone I encounter.

8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE 
WHO IS DISCOURAGED:

My smile, my words, my expression or support, can make the difference 
to someone who is wrestling with life.

If anyone is thirsty, let him come
to Me and drink. 
(John 7:37)

9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY:

I will eat less
I will eat only healthy foods
I will thank God for my body

10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY

I will spend a little more time in prayer today
I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today;
I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) 
and listen to God's voice.

[LIG1]

Be Yourself

Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything.

Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with what you need yourself.

Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.

Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded in the midst of uncertainty.

Be the first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails.

Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not stumble.
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.

Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you, and they may change.

Above all, be yourself!

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A SOLDIER'S PLAYING CARDS 


"Friends, this is Tex Ritter with a strange story about a soldier boy and a
deck of cards.

During the North African Campaign, a bunch of soldier boys had been on a
long hike and they arrived in a little town called "Casino." The next
morning being Sunday, several of the boys went to church. A sergeant
commanded the boys in church, and after the Chaplain had read the prayer,
the text was taken up next. Those of the boys who had a prayerbook took them
out; but this one boy only had a deck of cards and so he spread them out.
The Sergeant saw those cards and said, "Soldier, put away those cards!"

After the services were over, the soldier was taken prisoner and taken
before the Provost Marshal. The Marshal asked, "Sergeant, why have you
brought this man here?" "For playing cards in church, sir." "And what have
you to say for yourself, son?" "Much, sir," replied the soldier. The
Marshall said, "I hope so, for if not, I shall punish you more than if any
man was ever punished."

The soldier said, "Sir, I have been on a march for about six days and had
neither bible nor prayer book, but I hope to satisfy you sir, with the
purity of my intentions". With that, the boy started his story:

You see, sir, when I look at the Ace, it reminds me that there is but one
God. And the duce reminds me that the Bible is divided into two parts, the
Old and the New Testament. And when I see the trey, I think of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

When I see the four, I think of the four evangelists who preached the four
gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And when I see the five it reminds
me of the five wise virgins who trimmed their lamps; there was ten of them:
five were wise and were saved; five were foolish and were shut out.

And when I see the six, it reminds me that in six days God created this
great Heaven and earth, and when I see the seven it reminds me that on the
seventh day God rested from his great work. When I see the eight, I think of
the eight righteous persons God saved when He destroyed the earth: there was
Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their wives.

And when I see the nine, I think of the lepers our Savior cleansed, and nine
of the ten didn't even thank Him. When I see the ten, I think of the ten
commandments God handed down to Moses on a table of stone. When I see the
king, it reminds me that there is but one King of Heaven.God Almighty. And
when I see the queen, I think of the Blessed Virgin Mary who is Queen of
Heaven. And the Jack, or nave, is the Devil.

When I count the numbers of spots on a deck of cards I find three-hundred
sixty five, the number of days in a year. There are fifty two cards, the
number of weeks in a year. There are four suits, the number of weeks in a
month, there are twelve picture cards, the number of months in a year.
There's thirteen tricks, the number of weeks in a quarter.

So you see, sir, my pack of cards serves me as a Bible, almanac, and prayer
book. And friends, I know this story is true, because I was that soldier.

~Tex Ritter

[LIG1]

 ~ Jesus Calling

July 2

"Let Me show you My way for you this day. I guide you continually, so you can relax and enjoy My Presence in the present. Living well is both a discipline and an art. Concentrate on staying close to Me, the divine Artist. Discipline your thoughts to trust Me as I work My ways in your life. Pray about everything; then, leave the outcomes up to Me. Do not fear My will, for through it I accomplish what is best for you. Take a deep breath and dive into the depths of absolute trust in Me. Underneath are the everlasting arms!"

Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
—Psalm 5:2–3

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, “Destroy him!”
—Deuteronomy 33:27

[lovestopaint]

Good job Julie Blessings to all. Harlene(lovestopaint)

[LIG1]

Thanks Harlene, I couldn't get it all to post as 'one' post, so I just did the best I could. I'm just thankful that I figured some of it out. 

I think there's a learning curve to this, and I'm still learning

Be blessed~and continued prayers for your DH~

[Puddles]

[Bobbi sue]

Blessings ladies.  I have not been posting much due to the new forum boards.  They are confusing.

So glad with the news Julie.  To God be the Glory. 

I wish everyone a good day filled with many blessings.

[pinky ann]

Julie, Great news!!!!! You did great getting the thread out today. Thanks for taking over for Gloria. I hope she's having a wonderful time, and I wish everyone a very happy 4th tomorrow! pinky