Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Live today so that you will make life better for those around you. You will
end up making your life better too. Lord, You teach that it is in giving
that
I receive. May I always have a generous spirit.


Scripture for the day:

"'Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who
fell into the hands of the robbers?' He said, 'The one who showed him
mercy.' Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.'" ~Luke 10:36-37

Meditation for the day:

We can accept the difficulties and disciplines of life and thereby
fully share the common life of other people. Many things that we need
to accept in life are not to be taken so much as being necessary for
us personally. In our disappointments and difficulties we share in the
problems of humanity. We can accept the compassion and understanding
of others. We can share many of these experiences of life in order to
understand and sympathize with others. Unless we have been through
the same experiences, we cannot understand other people or their
makeup well enough to be able to help them.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may accept everything that comes my way as a part of
life. I pray that I may make use of it in helping other people.

Hello my friends! Today was more of a laid back day for me – including a
nap! He had to work and has to work thru Monday. We had Lori over for
supper tonight, but she was late – Ollie seemed to have been stung by a bee
of some kind when she left him outside for awhile during her lunch break at
home. When she got home, he had the hives and his face was puffy and
throat, that she quickly took him to the Emergency vet who gave him shots
and said it was most likely a bee sting or wasp. She had to stay there
until the hives left, then when she came, he seems like normal, but he could
have been choked by the swelling and died overnight! Isn’t that scary? So
he got the ball for us to play again here, tomorrow night he goes to his
training session, and gets graduated! Then we’ll sign him up for
intermediate training because we feel he needs it. I love going along.
Supper tonight was Spaghetti with the home made sauce she canned – very good
and she even added peppers and carrots for more nutrition. I had some
ground chicken thawed so used that. It was a very nice visit with her!
Praying for all of your intentions – thanks for your prayers for us.


In the morning, O LORD, I lay my requests before you and wait in
expectation. Psalm 5:3

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel
you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8

Checking Back

Saturday mornings, when our kids were growing up, were often designated as
house cleanup and yard work time. If the list of chores was lengthy, we’d
give them one thing to do and tell them to check back with us when they’d
finished. Then we’d give them the next thing to do, and then to check back
again. Worked well getting through the list that way.

Last night when I was getting dinner ready I was getting myself crazy
stopping to change, edit, and rearrange the lists and schedules I had on the
counter. I actually had entered many of the things on the lists on my phone
notepad and transferred them. Not only was I feeling ocd doing and redoing
all this, to make it worse I was updating the kitchen wall calendar with
each change, including other family members appointments. Maybe you can
relate? Or perhaps you are one of the folks who carry schedules and
appointments in your head. Either way, the to-do list is never-ending.

Later in the evening I was reading from a devotional book. The daily message
was about how we tend to write and obsess over our lists and plans, and it
was like a neon sign went on in my head. In essence, it said that God has
everything in control for each day, just let Him handle all the schedules.

After letting that thought sink in some, my plan now is:

- Keep it simple.

- Surrender to God and HIS plans.

- Check in with Him in the morning.

- Check back with Him throughout the day for the next thing.

I have no illusions about getting it perfect right off, since I am a
recovering list person. However I do plan to stick with trying to carry this
out, and I believe that checking back will be the ticket to a whole lot less
frustration and to-do nutsiness. God’s got a plan.

That’s good news.

God Knows...

When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts...
God knows how hard you have tried.

When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish...
God has counted your tears.

If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by...
God is waiting with you.

When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call...
God is by your side.

When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn...
God has a solution.

When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated...
God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope...
God has whispered to you.

When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for...
God has blessed you.

When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe...
God has smiled upon you.

When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow...
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.

Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing...

GOD KNOWS !

Art Class

A kindergarten teacher was observing her class of children while they drew.
She would occasionally walk around to see each child's artwork. As she got
to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing
was.

The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."

The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied,
"They will in a minute."

Here's a list of all variations of the "God Speaks" billboards
They are soooo cool!!

Let's meet at my house Sunday before the game.
-God

C'mon over and bring the kids.
-God

What part of "Thou Shalt Not..." didn't you understand?
-God

We need to talk.
-God

Keep using my name in vain, I'll make rush hour longer.
-God

Loved the wedding, invite me to the marriage.
-God

That "Love Thy Neighbor" thing... I meant it.
-God

I love you and you and you and you and...
-God

Will the road you're on get you to my place?
-God

Follow me.
-God

Big bang theory, you've got to be kidding.
-God

My way is the highway.
-God

Need directions?
-God

You think it's hot here?
-God

Have you read my #1 best seller? There will be a test.
-God

Do you have any idea where you're going?
-God

Don't make me come down there.
-God

Brighten Your Corner

We cannot all be famous
Or be listed in "Who's Who",
But every person, great or small,
Has important work to do.

For seldom do we realize
The importance of small deeds,
Or to what degree of greatness
Unnoticed kindness leads.

For it's not the big celebrity
In a world of fame and praise,
But it's doing unpretentiously
In an undistinguished way.

The work that God assigned to us,
Unimportant as it seems,
That makes our task outstanding,
And brings reality to dreams.

So do not sit and idly wish
for wider, new dimensions
Where you can put into practice,
Your many good intentions.

But at the spot God placed you
Begin at once to do,
Little things to brighten up
The lives surrounding you.

If everybody brightened up
The spot where their standing,
By being more considerate,
And a little less demanding.

This dark old world would very soon
Eclipse the evening star,
If everybody brightened up
The corner where they are!

- Author Unknown

Obedience

I read a story about a young son of a missionary, in Zaire. The boy was
playing in the yard when suddenly he heard his father yell to him from the
porch, "Philip, obey me instantly! Drop to your stomach!"

Without hesitation, the boy did as his father commanded. His father, then,
commanded,
"Now, crawl to me as fast as you can!"

Again, the boy immediately obeyed.


"Now stand up and run to me!" Philip responded, without questioning, and
ran into his fathers arms.

When Philip turned around and looked back at the tree, where he was
standing, he saw a huge poisonous snake hanging from one of the branches.

The boy could have hesitated and asked, "Why?" or "In just a minute." But,
he instantly obeyed. That simple act of obedience saved his life!

Could it save your life, if you let go of your free will and followed what
the Lord has told you to do with your life.



God, Please Forgive Me
By C. Welton Gaddy

God, forgive my incompleteness: not growing in Christ, not expanding my
knowledge of the Scriptures, not developing all my talents.

God, forgive my disinterest: a lack of concern for needs around me, apathy
regarding the lostness of millions, blindness to hurts I could help heal.

God, forgive my dishonesty: taking the easy way rather than the right way,
speaking in one manner while living in another, silencing truth to preserve
tranquility, settling for less than what is best, loving tradition more than
obeying your pioneering Spirit.

God, forgive my loudness: talking when I should be listening, proclaiming
when I should be studying, busying myself with new tasks when I should be
finding a quiet place to rest.

God, forgive my silence: feeling love and failing to whisper it, reeling
with joy and not shouting hallelujah, knowing truth and forfeiting an
opportunity to share it, sensing a need to share my faith and squelching the
impulse.

God, please forgive me.