Daily Positive Thread for Sunday

gloriajean · ‎03-10-2010

Hello my friends! It was a very nice and blessed day today - we saw our little Mother to be and her husband, she is so very happy! Brings back memories when I first was pregnant with her and how excited I was!! We were married over 8 years before I could get pregnant, we had our adoption papers in, but fortunately never had to answer the forms. Then Lori came 18 months later, almost like twins, close and they've always been very close.

May you find something of interest or comfort for what I picked out for you tonight:

Nothing is ever quite as bad as it seems. Call on God and then practice expectancy

and optimism and things will turn out better than you expect. Lord, thank You for

tomorrow.

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

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were
called in the one body. And be thankful." ~Colossians 3:15

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

We can be at home and comfortable in the world. Yet some of us live
lives of quiet desperation. This is the opposite of being at home and
at peace in the world. We can let our peace of mind be evident to those
around us. We can let others see that we are comfortable, and seeing
it, know that it springs from our trust in God. The dull, hard way of
resignation is not God's way. Faith can take the sting out of the winds
of adversity and can bring peace even in the midst of struggle.

P R A Y E R   F O R   T H E   D A Y

I pray that I may be more comfortable in my way of living. I pray that
I may feel more at home and at peace within myself.

Who started Christmas?

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable. And after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry we already crucified him."

For the rest of the trip down, the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

--
Good friends are like stars......
You don't always see them,
but you always know they're there.

THE POWER OF PRAYER
Author Unknown

Creator God, I ask you to bless my friends reading this right now
Lord, show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit,
I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment.

Where there is pain, give them Your peace & mercy.

Where there is self-doubting, release a renewed confidence in Your
ability to work through them.

Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask You to give them
understanding, patience, & strength as they learn submission to Your
leading.

Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by
revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy
with You.

Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your
courage.

Where there is a sin locking them, reveal it, and break its hold over
my friend's life.

Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders,
and friends to support, and encourage them.

Give each of them discernment to recognize the demonic forces around
them, and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it.

I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name.

Being Transparent

It is hard to be transparent. No one likes to show a side that would indicate any irresponsibility or failure. No one wants others to know about their embarrassments, or their inconsistencies. Being transparent can prove that we are not who we seem to be, or bear witness to the fact that we aren't as good at something as we thought we were.

Sometimes being transparent is just letting others see your vulnerable self. It is letting others see you cry, moan, weep or gnash your teeth. It is letting others in on your heartbreak, your hurt, and your sensitive areas. It is coming off the pedestal and standing down in the midst of the crowd.

It is being Jesus, and being hung to die on a cross for all the world to see.

author unknown

* TODAY I TAUGHT MY CHILD *

When I got mad today and hit my child
"For his own good," I reconciled,
And then I realized my plight..
Today, I taught my child to fight.

When interrupted by the phone,
I said, "Tell them I'm not home."
And then I thought, and had to sigh..
Today I taught my child to lie.

I told the tax man what I made,
Forgetting cash that was paid,
And than I blushed at this sad feat..
Today I taught my child to cheat.

I smuggly copied a cassette,
To keep me from one more debt,
But now the bells of shame must peal..
Today I taught my child to steal.

Today I cursed another race,
Oh God, protect what I debase,
For now, I fear it is too late..
Today I taught my child to hate.

By my example, children learn
That I must lead in life's sojourn,
In such a way they are led
By what is done and not what is said.

Today I gave my child his due
By praise for him instead of rue.
And now I have begun my guide;
Today I gave my child his pride.

I now have reconciled and paid
To IRS all that I have made.
And now I know that this dear youth,
Today has learned from me the truth.

The alms I give are not for show,
And yet, this child must surely know
That charity is worth the price:
Today he saw my sacrifice.

I clasp within a warm embrace
My neighbor of another race.
The great commandment from up above.
Today I taught my child to love.

Someday my child must face alone
This fearsome undertone,
But I have blazed a sure pathway:
Today I taught my child to pray.

Author Unknown

Feast Day of St. Nicholas - Dec. 6

St. Nicholas

O Good Jesus, Saint Nicholas was an archbishop who dearly loved to help the poor, especially young children. He worked to protect the innocent and minister to those who were wronged. Eventually, the stories of his kindness evolved into the legend of Santa Claus. I ask him to intercede for all children, especially those in my family, and to pray for a good season of Advent. May we use these days to remember the poor ones as we decide how to spend our money. May we teach our children to follow the example of this saint. Dear Lord, help us to honor You in all that we do during the holidays. Saint Nicholas, pray for us. Amen.

December 5 - Jesus Calling

Let My Presence override everything you experience. Like a luminous veil of Light, I hover over you and everything around you. I am training you to stay conscious of Me in each situation you encounter.

When the patriarch Jacob ran away from his enraged brother, he went to sleep on a stone pillow in a land that seemed desolate. But after dreaming about heaven and angels and promises of My Presence, he awoke and exclaimed: “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” His discovery was not only for him but for all who seek Me. Whenever you feel distant from Me, say: “Surely the Lord is in this place!” Then, ask Me to give you awareness of My Presence. This is a prayer that I delight to answer.

In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.
—Psalm 31:20

When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”
—Genesis 28:11–16

gloriajean · ‎03-10-2010

Here's another one that it wouldn't let me post with the rest: Too long.

Build a Spiritual Crib

Our greatest glory lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall!

The following directions show you how to build a spiritual crib in your heart for Christ. Use it to put Christ into your Christmas in a real, living way. Read the thought indicated about Christ's first crib.

Practice it during the day. Do this daily during December and make your heart a worthy crib for Christ on Christmas Day.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEC.1 - THE STABLE

Frequently during the day offer your heart to the little Infant Jesus. Ask Him to make it His home. - Sweet Jesus, take my heart and make it meek and pure.

DEC.2 - THE ROOF

See that the roof of the stable is in good condition, so that the Infant Jesus is protected from rain and snow. This you will do by carefully avoiding every uncharitable remark. --Jesus, teach me to love my neighbor as myself.

DEC.3 - CREVICES

Carefully stop every crevice in the walls of the stable, so that the wind and cold may not enter there. Guard your senses against temptations. Guard especially your ears against sinful conversations.--Jesus, help me to keep temptations out of my heart.

DEC.4 - COBWEBS

Clean the cobwebs from your spiritual crib. Diligently remove from your heart every inordinate desire of being praised. Renew this intention at least three times today. --My Jesus, I want to please You in all I do today.

DEC.5 - FENCE

Build a fence about the crib of your heart by keeping a strict watch over your eyes, especially at prayer. --Sweet Jesus, I long to see You.

DEC.6 - MANGER

Fix the best and warmest corner of your heart for the manger of Jesus. You will do so by abstaining from what you like most in the line of comfort and amusement. --Mary, use these sacrifices to prepare my heart for Jesus in Holy Communion

DEC.7 - HAY

Supply the manger of your heart with hay, by overcoming all feelings of pride, anger or envy. Jesus, teach me to know and correct my greatest sins.

DEC.8 - SOFT STRAW

Also provide your manger with soft straw by performing little acts of mortification; for instance, bear the cold without complaints; or sit and stand erect. --Dear Jesus, Who suffered so much for me, let me suffer for love of You.

DEC.9 - SWADDLING CLOTHES

Prepare these for the Divine Infant by folding your hands when you pray, and praying slowly and thoughtfully. --Jesus let me love you more and more.

DEC.10 - BLANKETS

Provide the manger of your with soft warm blankets. Avoid harsh and angry words; be kind and gentle to all. --Jesus, help me to be meek and humble like You.

DEC.11 - FUEL

Bring fuel to the crib of Jesus. Give up your own will; obey your superiors cheerfully and promptly. --Jesus, let me do Your will in all things

DEC.12- WATER

Bring fresh clean water to the crib. Avoid every untruthful word and every deceitful act. --Dearest Mary, obtain for me true contrition for my sins.

DEC.13 - PROVISIONS

Bring a supply of food to the crib. Deprive yourself of some food at mealtime or candy as a treat. --Jesus, be my strength and nourishment.

DEC.14 - LIGHT

See that the crib has sufficient light. Be neat and orderly about your person; keep everything in its place in your room. --Jesus, be the life and light of my soul.

DEC.15 - FIRE

Take care to have the crib of your heart warmed by a cozy fire. Be grateful to God for the love He has shown us in becoming man; behave with grateful respect towards your parents and relatives. -- Jesus, how can I return Your love; how can I show my gratitude to You?

DEC.16 - THE OX

Lead the ox to the crib. Obey cheerfully without making excuses and without asking "why." --I will obey for love of You, Jesus.

DEC.17 - THE DONKEY

Bring the donkey to the crib. Offer to the Divine Infant your bodily strength; use it in the service of others. --Jesus, accept my service of love; I offer it for those who do not love You.

DEC.18 - GIFTS

Gather some presents for the Divine Infant and His Blessed Mother. Give alms for the poor and say an extra decade of the rosary. --Come, Jesus, to accept my gifts and to take possession of my heart.

DEC.19 - LAMBS

Strive to bring some little lambs, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours.

DEC.20 - SHEPHERDS

Invite the shepherds to pay homage to our newborn King. Imitate their watchfulness; stress in your speech and thoughts the idea that Christmas is important because Jesus will be born again in you. Jesus, teach me to love You above all things.

DEC.21 - THE KEY

Provide the stable with a key to keep out thieves. Exclude from your heart every sinful thought, every rash judgment --Dear Jesus, close my heart to all that hurts you.

DEC.22 - ANGELS

Invite the angels to adore God with you. Cheerfully obey the inspirations of your guardian angel and of your conscience. -- Holy Guardian Angel, never let me forget that You are with me always.

DEC.23 - ST. JOSEPH

Accompany Saint Joseph from door to door. Learn from him silently and patiently to bear refusals and disappointments. Open wide your heart and beg Him to enter with the Blessed Virgin Mary. --Saint Joseph, help me to prepare for a worthy Christmas Communion.

DEC.24 - THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Go meet your Blessed Mother. Lead her to the manger of your heart and beg her to lay the Divine Infant in it. Shorten your chats and telephone conversations and spend more time today thinking of Jesus and Mary and Joseph. --Come, dear Jesus, Come; my heart belongs to You. "Devotions in Preparation for the Coming of the Christ child, and at the Crib, from Christmas to Purification"