Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Let the story of your life be one of prayer and its answers because more is given

to us through prayer than we can imagine. Lord, I will gratefully live the blessings

that You pour into my life.

Scripture for the day:

"Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these

things will be given to you as well." ~Matthew 6:33

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

I can try to grow into a new life. I can think of spiritual things often,

and unconsciously I can grow. The nearer I get to the new life, the more I

can see my unfitness. My sense of failure can be a sign that I am growing

in the new life. It is only struggle that hurts. In sloth--physical,

mental, or spiritual--there is no sense of failure or discomfort. With

struggle and effort, I can be conscious not of strength but of weakness

until I am really living the new life. But in the struggle, I can always

rely on the power of God to help me.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may see signs of my growth in the new life. I pray that I may

always keep trying to grow.

Greetings to you all! Got back from Texas late this afternoon - thanks so much for keeping the thread alive while I was gone! Sure appreciate it. Just as we were about ready to head back yesterday afternoon, I fell in her back yard - tripped on a tree stump, little one, and really did a number on my face. They took me to ER - waited about 4 hours - finally a dr. came and checked me, my nose was bleeding mostly on top where the glasses are, and instead of stitching it, he glued it shut, we didn't stay for the cat scan - but he checked me over for extra bleeding and there was none, had no nausea, didn't pass out, nothing like that, so I never had a concussion, but I need to be alert to some symptoms that might appear, so please pray that everything is ok with my head. It was a blessing that I didn't hit the concrete! Another blessing, nothing broke! My girls surprised me by coloring my hair, taking me for a short cute bob (hair cut, and out to eat with the family - it was a fun time. Hey - and tomorrow Darla is in Mpls for her interview from 1 PM to 7:30.

I'm off to bed now - I've been so chilly, I want to warm it in bed!

Alleluia, Alleluia!

O sons and daughters, let us sing!

The King of heaven, the glorious King,

O'er death today rose triumphing.

That Easter morn, at break of day,

The faithful women went their way,

To seek the tomb where Jesus lay.

An angel clad in white they see,

Who sat, and spoke unto the three,

"Your Lord has gone to Galilee."

That night the apostles met in fear;

Amidst them came their Lord most dear,

And said, "My peace be on all here."

When Thomas, first the tidings heard,

How they had seen the risen Lord,

He doubted the disciples' word.

"My wounded side, O Thomas, see;

Behold my hands, my feet," said he,

"Not faithless, but believing be."

No longer Thomas then denied,

He saw the feet, the hands, the side;

"You are my Lord and God," he cried.

How blessed are they who have not seen,

And yet whose faith has constant been,

For they eternal life shall win.

On this most holy day of days,

To God your hearts and voices raise,

In laud, and jubilee and praise.

Alleluia!

(Jean Tisserand)

- - -

John 20:29 - (Jesus said to Thomas) "Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!"

Success

Success is speaking words of praise,

In cheering other people's ways,

In doing just the best you can,

With every task and every plan,

It's silence when your speech would hurt,

Politeness when your neighbor's curt,

It's deafness when the scandal flows,

And sympathy with others' woes,

It's loyalty when duty calls,

It's courage when disaster falls,

It's patience when the hours are long,

It's found in laughter and in song,

It's in the silent time of prayer,

In happiness and in despair,

In all of life and nothing less,

We find the thing we call success..

~ Author Unknown ~

All I need to know

I learned from the Easter Bunny!

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

There's no such thing as too much candy.

All work and no play can make you a basket case.

A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.

Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

Some body parts should be floppy.

Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans.

Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.

The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.

To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.

The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

May the joy of the season fill your heart.

AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!

Happy Easter!

"BAD THINGS, GOOD RESULTS"

-author unknown-

"...the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus"

Phil. 1:12

Being in prison is NOT pleasant, but it CAN bring good results. In fact, I was converted through this experience...

The Apostle Paul didn't like being detained for preaching the Gospel, BUT he was grateful even in prison. Officials and guards were HEARING the Gospel and BELIEVING in JESUS. His example was challenging MANY Believers to a NEW Zeal and fearlessness in PROCLAIMING Jesus Christ.

Over and over the Lord transforms UNPLEASANT and PAINFUL situations into something beneficial. Think of the massacre of Jim Elliot and his four missionary companions by Auca Indians in Ecuador in 1956! Their martyrdom challenged MANY young people to surrender their lives for missionary service. It also was a factor leading MANY of these Aucas to become fervent followers of Jesus.

Think of Joni Eareckson Tada! She became a paraplegic as a teenager. But today she carries on a unique and helpful ministry to the Christian community. Not to mention the countless many others who have changed lives through something bad that has happened to them.

If you are hemmed in by bad circumstances, DON'T give in to despair, self-pity, or bitterness. Instead TRUST JESUS for HIS STRENGTH. Thousands CAN testify that their bad times changed their lives for GOOD. And in Heaven MANY martyrs are REJOICING in the REALIZATION that through dying they HAVE ADVANCED the cause of Christ.

YES, for a child of JESUS, bad things CAN produce AWESOME results... just TRUST JESUS to pull you through whatever it is your going through for it ALL is for a reason and that reason IS for GOOD.

I thank Jesus for the bitter things

They've been a " friend of grace "

They've driven me from paths of ease

To SEEK the Fathers face.

The difficulties of Life

Are intended to make us BETTER -- NOT Bitter.

JESUS LOVES YOU!!