Hello my friends! We met Darla and Greg today at AppleBee's an hour away and they paid for our dinner there for our Anniversary! AppleBee's gave us a free dessert of our choice! On the way there it rained so hard, it was hard to see! Coming back was good, we brought Darla back because Greg needed to stay there yet in Mpls on business so shortly after we got back, Lori got home from work, and the decorating of the garage began. It's not done yet, but it sure looks nice! Fun seeing how things are being put into place. A guest book Darla bought that she will ask everyone to not only sign in, but say some memories about us. That should be interesting. In the morning Pedicures, and shopping for some food etc. Finishing touches - and we give God the Glory for our 50 years together!
By being less judgmental of others, you will eliminate much frustration.
Lord, I pray for the peace that comes from understanding and compassion.
Scripture for the day:
"And the one who was seated on the throne said, 'See, I am making all
things new.'" ~Revelation 21:5
Meditation for the day:
"See, I am making all things new." When we change to a new way of
life, we can leave many things behind us. It is only the earth-bound
spirit that cannot soar. We can loosen somewhat the strands that tie
us to the earth. It is only the earthly desires that bind us. Our new
freedom can depend on our ability to rise above earthly things.
Clipped wings can grow again. Broken wings can gain a strength and
beauty unknown before. If we will, we can be released and free.
Prayer for the day:
I pray that I may be freed from things that hold me down. I pray that
my spirit may soar in freedom.
Prayer on the Beatitudes
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven." Keep us from being preocuppied with money and worldly
goods, and with trying to increase them at the expense of justice.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the
earth." Help us not to be ruthless with one another, and to eliminate the
discord and violence that exists in the world around us.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be
comforted." Let us not be impatient under our own burdens and unconcerned
about the burdens of others.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they shall be filled." Make us thirst for you, the fountain of all
holiness, and actively spread your influence in our private lives and in
society.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive
mercy." Grant that we may be quick to forgive and slow to condemn.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see
God." Free us from our senses and our evil desires, and fix our eyes on you.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called
children of God." Aid us to make peace in our families, in our country, and
in the world.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of
justice, for the kingdom of heaven in theirs." Make us willing to suffer for
the sake of right rather than to practice injustice; and do not let us
discriminate against our neighbors and oppress and persecute them.
Who you are
Who do you think you are? Are you the problems you encountered yesterday, or
are you the positive possibilities that exist today?
Are you the limitations that others have convinced you to adopt? Or are you
the person who can work your way through whatever obstacles may confront
you?
Are you the shortcomings and disappointments you've known? Or are you the
most magnificent, most treasured dreams you can imagine?
Are you the empty, meaningless pursuits of the materialistic culture that
surrounds you? Or are you the deeply held, lasting values you know to be
truth?
Who you think you are can make all the difference, in this moment, in your
life. Because who you think you are is who you constantly work to more fully
become.
Who do you think you are? Choose right now to be the best you can imagine.
-- Ralph Marston
A Little Wisdom
A mirror is only as good
As the reflection in it.
Worry enough to anticipate trouble
But not so much as to bring it about.
Look back to where you have been
For a clue to where you are going.
Melt the icy fingers of fear
With the sunshine of hope.
Step by gentle step,
You can overcome the greatest sorrow.
The sweetest grapes
Are picked from the vineyard of friendship.
Find something you truly believe in,
And everything else will have meaning as well.
LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS
Author Unknown
August 20, 2009
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my
college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher
was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human
being had been graced with.
Her last project of the term was called "Smile." The class was asked
to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am
a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello
anyway, so, I thought, this would be a piece of cake, literally.
Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and
I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way
of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line,
waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to
back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch ... an
overwhelming
feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they
had moved.
As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there
standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the
short gentleman, close to me, he was smiling". His beautiful sky blue
eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said,
"Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The
second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I
realized the second man was mentally deficient and the blue-eyed
gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with
them.
The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said,
"Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they
wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy
something. He just wanted to be warm).
Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached
out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me,
judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the
counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then
walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a
resting spot. I put
the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's
cold hand.
He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you." I
leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for
you. God is here working through me to give you hope." I started to
cry as I walked away to join my husband and son.
When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God
gave you to me, Honey.
To give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time we knew
that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to
give. We are not churchgoers, but we are believers. That day showed me
the pure Light of God's sweet love.
I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story
in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she
looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she
got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I
knew that we, as human beings and being part of God, share this need
to heal people and be healed.
In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son,
instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night
I spent as a college student.
I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:
UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE. Much love and compassion is sent to each and
every person who may read this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE
THINGS - NOT , LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
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