Among Friends

[gloriajean]

Hello my friends! Another busy day here!  Showing in the morning so we went there and got it prepared for the showing. Still more things from the garage to move here yet!  Moving is hard!  Haven't had time yet to try the swimming pool or hot tub.  Soon though, I hope.

Thanks to all who posted!  Too tired to answer you all now.  Praying for all your intentions, may God grant you answers to prayers.

Never tell yourself that it is "I" who has done all of this for me. 

Lord, I pray and give thanks because it is You who has given me

the abiliies and talents that I have to do all that I do.

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

"And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of
these is love."  ~1 Corinthians 13:13

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

Love is the power that transforms our lives.  We can try to love our
families and friends and then try to love everybody that we possibly
can, even the "sinners and publicans"--everybody.  Love for God is an even
greater thing.  It is the result of gratitude to God and it is the
acknowledgement of the blessings that God has sent us.  Love for God
acknowledges God's gifts and leaves the way open for God to shower yet
more blessings on our thankful hearts.  We can say: "Thank you, God," until
it becomes a habit.

P R A Y E R   F O R   T H E   D A Y 

I pray that I may try to love God and all people.  I pray that I may
continually thank God for all the blessings I receive.

At times I'm so discouraged
with problems of the day
I fail to see the joyful things
that are along the way

When troubles overwhelm me
It's then my nerves may fray
that's when I need to take the time
To simply sit and pray

Reflecting on God's many the gifts
It makes me so aware
Of all the joy in little things
around me everywhere!

I must try to remember
though problems come my way
not to miss the joyful things
and the beauty of the day.

(Author Unknown)

O Lord,

I do not know what to ask you.
You alone know my real needs,
and you love me more 
than I even know how to love. 
Enable me to discern my true needs
which are hidden from me.
I ask for neither cross nor consolation;
I wait in patience for you.
My heart is open to you. 
For your great mercy's sake,
come to me and help me.
Put your mark on me and heal me,
cast me down and raise me up.
Silently I adore your holy will
and your inscrutable ways.
I offer myself in sacrifice to you
and put all my trust in you.
I desire only to do your will.
Teach me how to pray
and pray in me, yourself.

--Vasily Drosdov Philaret, c. 1780 - 1867

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
Author Unknown

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next
door. It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College,
girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved
clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush
of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and
often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his
future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The
funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old
newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought
of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack
said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you
were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his
side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make
sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in
this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching
me things he thought were important... Mom, I'll be there for the
funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to
his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no
children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to
see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway,
Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another
dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he
remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of
furniture... . Jack stopped
suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said.

"What box? " Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I
must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever
tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack
remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser
family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I
better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from
work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature
required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post
office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old
and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The
handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his
attention.

"Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and
ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an
envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack
Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life."

A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears
filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he
found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over
the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover.

Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time!
Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most...was.. .my time."

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and
cleared his appointments for the next two days.

"Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the
moments that take our breath away,"

Thank you for your time.....

September 7 - Jesus Calling

Enjoy the warmth of My Presence shining upon you. Feel your face tingle as you bask in My Love-Light. I delight in you more than you can imagine. I approve of you continuously, for I see you cloaked in My Light, arrayed in My righteousness. There is no condemnation for those who are clothed in Me! That is why I abhor the use of guilt as a means of motivation among Christians.

Some pastors try to whip their people into action with guilt-inducing sermons. This procedure can drive many people to work harder, but the end does not justify the means. Guilt-evoking messages can undermine the very foundation of grace in a believer’s heart. A pastor may feel successful when his people are doing more, but I look at their hearts. I grieve when I see grace eroding, with weeds of anxious works creeping in. I want you to relax in the assurance of My perfect Love. The law of My Spirit of Life has freed you from the law of sin and death.

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

—Isaiah 61:10

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

—Romans 8:1–2

[Vassago]

I thought religious is against the rules?

[gloriajean]

It isn't against the rules on Among Friends.  This thread has been going on over eight years.  Welcome to the thread!

[Puzzle Piece]

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@Vassago wrote:

I thought religious is against the rules?

---

Vassago, it's a daily positive thread.  If you have something positive to share, it's allowed.  Please, share and join in !

[jubilant]

Good to see you back, gloriajean.  Some of my favorite verses here today. 

I hope you can get rested up from your move.  The last time we moved...many years ago....I thought I might die!  Ha!  Still praying for the sale of your house.  Isn't it great having your DD back?  I know the feeling and am so happy for answered prayers.  God is so good!  He understands.