I have a beautiful Chapter for us to start the new week with.
It is Psalm 100, titled, "A psalm of thanksgiving
1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Praying you have a week filled with God's grace and healing.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Thanks, daisy!
Psalm 100 is beautiful and I enjoyed reading it.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
My friend Irene sent me some prayers and info today.
Among the things she sent was this quote...
"The good God does not need years to acccomplish His work of love in a soul; one ray from His heart can, in an instant, make His flower bloom for eternity."
- St Therese, The Little Flower of Jesus
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
daisy very beautiful way to start the week and dekrator very nice quote.
I made it to hillsong united concert. It was great singing to the Lord. Stefanie and I enjoyed the first together. When we got to the car Stefanie had enough christian music and cranked my radio up loud to Rap music...like I wasn't deaf enough from the concert. I think I was expecting like a revival but it wasn't there...all and all it was an enjoyable experience.
Good night
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
Morning friends,
I think I have come up with about five reasons to not attend Bible class this morning. Self discipline is tough. My main excuse... I did not write my prayer for homework. I just don't wanna go. Ok I needed to go put my face on. Good morning to all of you.
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Good Morning,
It's raining on the outside (and we do need this rain for our brown grass) AND it's Sonshiny on the inside!
Dekrator, I liked what your friend, Irene, shared with you, "The good God does not need years to acccomplish His work of love in a soul;
one ray from His heart can, in an instant, make His flower bloom for eternity."
- St Therese, The Little Flower of Jesus
Reminds me of the Apostle Paul on the Road to Damascus. Got plain knocked off his horse by God and Paul's life was never the same since!
Isn't it great how Jesus changes our lives in just an instant? Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
MDW,
So glad you enjoyed the Hillsong United Concert.
I would love to see them someday.
daisy,
I need to find that story in the Bible about the Apostle Paul and read it.
Hope everyone has a blessed day filled with hope.
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
MDW, Glad you could go to Hillsong. Well, I know we all like those touches that change us in an instant...but, yeah, it doesn't always happen like that.
God is in control and He knows what is best.
About your class...if you go today...let us know how it goes. Sometimes God surprises us, show up for a class, and THAT'S where revival happens...when we least expect it.
Actually, I think that's the way it has happened most in my life...when I least expect it.
One thing is for sure, our God is always up to something good! He can't help Himself...God IS good! And in eternity we will see just how good He was to us while we were living on earth!
Blessings all!
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
Daisy says...where revival happens...when we least expect it.
I chose not to attend class this morning..but God had plenty of things for me to tend to right here in my house.
Last night when I went to the concert, I could not believe how expensive food was, such an eye opening disgust. I was happy I was not hungry. I had Stefanie wait till we were on our way home to eat...poor thing thought she was starving to death.
Made me think of all those people starving and how it is so easy to forget. On a softer note. I am preparing a pepper steak and mashed potatoes for dinner and greatful I have food.
Sunday is my 5k hunger walk...Lord let these feet beat to the sound of your note... And maybe Lord, some marshmellows in my shoes to soften the souls as I help stomp the hunger.
Stef. and I got so tickled with each other; we both wore the wrong shoes to be standing for 2.5 hours at a show...our feet were screaming at us. Had to take those shoes off with the heals on them and stand in our stocking feet with a hole...for real! We had great seats but who sits at a concert?!
ps...Like Daisy ihad to fix my typos., see any more?
pss...I really want to fix this error it's bugging me.
pssss...(I had) I feel better now.
[ 03-08-2011, 06:35 PM: Message edited by: MDW005 ]
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
LOL, I will leave that error for a good laugh for myself...I'm not perfect. Truly a typo not meant to be there in my ps.
psss..I really really want to fix that typo!
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
MDW,
Food always seems to be very expensive at any venue...ballpark, concert, etc...I know what you mean..it seems wrong.
Praying you have a good walk on Sunday and your feet will be cushioned along the way and your body will be full of energy.
Tomorrow I have to travel to my LLMD appt.
Have a great evening!
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
Dekrator, thank you for your prayer and good will for me. May Father give you safe travel to and from your llmd appointment and may you receive the gentle healing care your body and mind needs today. May Father grant you sunshine to warm your spirit through out your day. This I pray for you. I will be thinking of you often as the day goes by. Let us know when you get back home safely and news of your visit. Good day to you my friend. Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
Hi Girls!!!
Where have you been???
JK!
My husband and daughter are still asleep and so I have time at the computer to write a little.
It's been an adjustment to have the 3 of us home for over a month now.
DD is getting depressed. She wants in the worst way to be back at school with her friends. She has the energy back but her brain's still not focusing/absorbing. Hard to explain to the school though...
Hubby is busy trying to earn a living from home - on the phone and computer ALL DAY!! Aaaack!
I've been reading a wonderful book and wanted to share some parts of it with you. It's called "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson, and it's absolutely great!
Oh darn, here comes hubby wanting the computer. Shoot! Well, I'll try to tell more about the book soon...
Love you guys (and have missed you all), Hens
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Good Morning Friends,
Have a blessed Ash Wednesday as we remember the brevity of life and our great need for a Savior.
Dekrator, Praying for you and your appt today with LLMD. Beautiful prayer for Dekrator, MDW. AMEN!
Everyone have a great day reflecting on what our God has done for us. Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
For anyone who might be interested...
Tonight I'm planning on watching an Ash Wednesday Service online. I'm so excited!!!
Northland Church Longwood, Florida 7:00 PM EASTERN TIME!!!!
I'm in Central Time so that means 6:00 PM for me. I make that point because last Sunday night I wanted to see the service with Nick V. (the young fellow with no arms and no legs was the special speaker) but I forgot about the time change. So I only caught the tail end. As it turned out Nick shared Monday too. I was able to watch it then. WOW!
Anyway...since I heard about the Ash Wednesday Service I have been looking forward to watching it.
Here is the link for anyone who might be interested in watching this LIVE service online.
Once you are on that page, you will have the option to join the online service (create a ID and password) so that you can chat during the service with the online people.
Or you can click "Video stream" (I think that's what it's called) and you don't have to log on.
Pray everyone is having a peaceful day filled with thoughts of God.
Blessings always.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Good afternoon dear friends!
I just returned from my LLMD appt.
We changed one med and left the other one the same. Praying for some new improvement in pain and stiffness.
MDW,
Thank you very much for the lovely prayer. I ran into a little snow on the way back, but mostly just rain. The sun did try to peak through all the gray clouds though. Hope you are doing well today. I pray for you often.
Hi Hens,
Glad to see that you could pop in for a minute! I look forward to hearing about the book.
Still praying for your family!
daisy,
Thanks for the prayers for my appt. My Dr is very empathetic and open minded, so I really appreciate him.
I wasn't able to attend church at 8:30 am today with my husband and grandsons, so I will be going at 7 pm this evening.
Enjoy the service tonight!
I know my blessings outweigh my trials and burdens. I thank God for this and for knowing Him.
I thank God for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
I thank God for all of you!
I thank God for giving me hope and neverending love and mercy. Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
I found a specific link to that ONLINE service tonight
I'll be back later to comment on posts. Have a good evening!
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Hens shares,
"Hi Girls!!!
Where have you been???
[lol] JK!"
I do like your sense of humor. I got a smile on my face and am chuckling. Thanks for the endorfun fix.
Glad you could get in a few moments before your hubby took over the computer for his work.
Sorry about your DD. It's got to be hard being young and wanting to do so much. I am thankful that she is feeling better...now for the mind to "feel" better too. I'm praying.
That does sound like a very interesting book, "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day". Glad you're finding it a great read and look forward to hearing about it. Intriguing title.
Have missed you too Hens. See you around soon.
Hugs!
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Tonight the Ash Wednesday Service was a blessing. Glad I could watch it online. Just a few thoughts and then some notes I'd like to share.
The ashes is representative that we were made from the dust of the earth and to dust we shall return. Also the ashes is a reminder of what God's people (in the Old Testament) used to do as an outward show of true inner repentance.
At Ash Wednesday Services, people who attend and who want to participate in this tradition, have a cross made out of ashes "drawn" on their forehead for the same reasons...to remember that life is short and as a sign of repentance.
In tonight's service I wrote these notes:
The most grievous news! "You were made from dust, and to dust you shall return" (Gen 3:19). If that is the end of our story it would be more epic than any Shakespeare tragedy.
THEN-EASTER! "Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 15:57).
I am so thankful to our very good, gracious God!
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Dekrator,
I am praying with you that the changes your LLMD made will be beneficial with more healing as a result...and manifesting soon!
As always I appreciate your encouraging comments to all of us. Thank you!
Hugs!
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
MDW, Hope your day has been a good way. Praying for you my dear friend...and you can't stop me.
Blessings and Hugs!
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Hi girls! I've missed seeing you all but I haven't stopped thinking of you and praying for you.
Things are starting to settle down around here so hopefully I'll be able to catch up with you all soon. I've been spending alot of time with my mom, helping her with whatever she needs and just keeping her company. We've also had alot of the relatives visiting.
Losing my uncle so unexpectedly has also made me think alot about my own life and mortality. It will be nice when we are all in heaven where there is no sickness, no sadness, and no sin. I just want everyone to come with me to heaven. I don't want anyone to be left out.
Hugs to all my friends. I'll stop back by tomorrow.
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
Daisy, I am well thank you. Lots of reading God's love letter. Attended Ash Wednesday service. Moving service it was to my heart.
Missed you hens and Sammy. pull up a chair and chat for a bit. Look foreward to reading
Sammy you are a special daughter to be there for your mom, and to help mend her life even with your illness. You are a strong young lady.
Hens, hope hubby shares the computer and you are able to pop in more often. I am praying for your family.
Dekrator, glad the sun popped out of the clouds a bit for you. Hope you enjoyed the service last night. Snow you say? wow hard to visual when I have warm weather... up and down... more up. All of my bulbs in the hearth have popped up and ready to breathe in the sunshine.
friends whatever your day brings, embrace it because this day is what we have been given. enjoy.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Good morning friends!
Last night at the Ash Wednesday service at our church, the priest mentioned a quote from a 17th century monk....I may not remember the exact words but it went something like this...
"The cause of all disturbances is the inability of people to find fault with themselves."
That gave me something to think about.
daisy,
Thank you for your prayers!! I so appreciate it. I pray for you and gwb regularly.
sammy,
Thanks for your prayers. You and your family have been in my prayers too.
You are a great daughter!! Can I adopt you? lol
I have had those same thoughts about my mortality and looking forward to heaven, but not wanting anyone to be left out.
I look forward to you sharing more when you can.
MDW,
I'm glad you were moved by your church service last evening.
I hope you are enjoying all your nice weather. It must be a day brightener to see the sun, hear the birds and see the flowers popping up!
Praying for you, too!
Hope everyone has a blessed day!
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
In A Pit With A LION On A Snowy Day by Mark Batterson
(I'm just going to pick and choose from the first few pages here...)
"There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two of Moab's mightiest warriors.
Another time he chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it.
Another time, armed only with a club, he killed a great egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with it."
"For the vast majority of us, the only lions we've ever encountered were stuffed or caged. And few us have experienced hand-to-hand combat that forced us to fight for our lives. But try to put yourself in Benaiah's snow shoes..."
"Right at the onset, let me share one of my core convictions: God is in the business of strategically positioning us in the right place at the right time. A sense of destiny is our birthright as followers of Christ. God is awfully good at getting us where He wants us to go. But here's the catch: The right place often seems like the wrong place, and the right time often seems like the wrong time."
"Scripture doesn't give us a blow-by-blow description of what happened in that pit. All we know is that when the snow settled, the lion was dead and Benaiah was alive. There was one set of paw prints and two sets of footprints.
Now fast-forward two verses and look at what happens in the next scene. 2 Samuel 23:23 says, 'And David put (Benaiah) in charge of his bodyguard.'
I can't think of two many places I'd rather NOT be than in a pit with a lion on a snowy day. Can you? Getting stuck in a pit with a lion on a snowy day isn't on anybody's wish list. It's a death wish. But you've got to admit something: 'I killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day' looks pretty impressive on your resume if you're applying for the bodyguard position with the King of Israel!
You know what I'm saying?
I can picture David flipping through a stack of resumes. 'I majored in security at the University of Jerusalem.' Nope. 'I did an internship with the Palace Guard.' Nada. 'I worked for Brinks Armored Chariots.' Thanks but no thanks.
Then David comes to the next resume in the stack. 'I killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day.' David didn't even check his references. That is the kind of person you want in charge of your bodyguard. Lion chasers make great bouncers."
"I'm sure the bodyguard position was the last thing on his mind when he encountered the lion, but Benaiah wasn't just chasing a lion. Benaiah was chasing a position in David's administration.
Here's the point: God is in the resume-building business. He is always using past experiences to prepare us for future opportunities. But those God-given opportunities often come disguised as man-eating lions. And how we react when we encounter those lions will determine our destiny. We can cower in fear and run away from our greatest challenges. Or we can chase our God-ordained destiny by seizing the God-ordained opportunity."
"I think the church has fixated on sins of commission for far too long. We have a long list of don'ts. Think of it as holiness by subtraction. We think holiness is the byproduct of subtracting something from our lives that shuldn't be there. And holiness certainly involves subtraction. But I think God is more concerned about sins of omission - those things we could have and should have done. It's holiness by multiplication. Goodness is not the absence of badness. You can do nothing wrong and still do nothing right. Those who simply run away from sin are half-Christians. Our calling is much higher than simply running away from what's wrong. We're called to chase lions.
There is an old aphorism: 'No guts, no glory.' When we don't have the guts to step out in faith and chase lions, then God is robbed of the glory that rightfully belongs to Him."
And it just keeps getting better and better - an absolutely fabulous book!!
It speaks specifically to 17hens and her battle with lyme disease.
And it speaks specifically to 17hens' husband and his heart's desire to start his own business after being laid off.
Maybe it will talk to you too. Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Hi Hens,
Thank you so much for sharing all of that!!
This part (the point) speaks to me...
"God is in the resume-building business. He is always using past experiences to prepare us for future opportunities. But those God-given opportunities often come disguised as man-eating lions. And how we react when we encounter those lions will determine our destiny. We can cower in fear and run away from our greatest challenges. Or we can chase our God-ordained destiny by seizing the God-ordained opportunity."
With so many challenges, trials, and burdens in just the past 15 months in my family, I pray that God uses me to unite my family members in His name.
Hope you'll share more as you go forth! Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
God thought was teetering to the bottom of the page again.
I hope all my God friends have had a good day. I really do not have any thoughts to share just do not like seeing daisy thread at the bottom.
Hens I read your thoughts and I do not really understand, but I will read again to try and understand.
Good eve family.
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Good Evening Friends,
What a day! That terrible earthquake that hit Japan followed by the tsunami. Unbelievable. I'm watching video on TV...there are no words. They need our prayers.
Samy, Thank you for sharing. You are a good daughter. Your mom is blessed to have your support. Pray God continue to give you comfort and strength.
I could sense your heart for the lost. Life is so short and when something happens so suddenly, it really puts an explanation point on God's word where it talks about the brevity of life.
Hens, What an interesting read. Thanks for sharing that paragraph that Dekrator mentioned. Yeah, that helps to make it more clear.
Bottom line for me when I read that, is realizing that God takes every situation in my life, our life, and He turns it around and uses if for good...in His timing. I've experienced that in my life.
I remember one time my family and I went to one of those drive through animal parks. There were areas where you could get out of the car and walk around...and we did. I was standing by a very tall fence in the wide opened spaces. There was a majestic looking, beautiful, lion. Huge, with a huge mane. The fence between us. It was not near me, but off in the distance. It roared. Oh, my goodness...I had never heard before, or since, a noise like that. It was so loud it shook the ground...like lightning. My heart felt like it was going to melt.
I would not want to be in a pit, a cave, or in a fence with a lion on a snowy or a sunny day. Daniel was. Benaiah was. There is only one explanation for survival in my opinion. God!!!
And when we face life's most devastating situations we can survive because of God!!!
God is with us.
Let me say that again, God IS with us!
(ok, so I fixed my typos. hee hee)
[ 03-12-2011, 09:02 AM: Message edited by: daisyrlb ]
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
There is an online service I watch weekly. It is Northland Church in Longwood, Florida. I think I told you that already.
WOW, last weekend's service with Nick V (the young man with no arms and no legs was amazing).
Info about Nick starts at about 6 minutes Worship starts at about 9 minutes Nick starts sharing at about 26 minutes.
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing!
FYI, have I shared lately? God IS with us!
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
Dekrator wrote, "I pray that God uses me to unite my family members in His name."
I'll pray that for you too. We know that His will is to have your family united as His family, so what we are praying for is His will! That's a goooood thing!!!
Daisy wrote, "Bottom line for me when I read that, is realizing that God takes every situation in my life, our life, and He turns it around and uses if for good...in His timing. I've experienced that in my life."
and "And when we face life's most devastating situations we can survive because of God!!!
God is with us."
Amen, Amen, and Amen!!!!
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Hens, thank you for taking the time to share with us what you are reading. Sounds like an excellent book. There were a two parts that stood out to me:
"God is in the resume-building business. He is always using past experiences to prepare us for future opportunities." Just like Dekrator and Daisy pointed out, this seems true of my life too. It is incredible to be able to look back on experiences where nothing was going as planned, where there were road blocks and frustration everywhere you looked. Sometimes we get to see immediately how God worked these things out for the best, sometimes we have to wait to see.
For example: We've all had those days where we were running late only to find out later that our delays might have saved us from a horrible car accident or that they allowed us to run into someone that we needed to talk to. I don't believe in coincidences. I think that they are God interventions.
This point also hit home: "Goodness is not the absence of badness. You can do nothing wrong and still do nothing right. Those who simply run away from sin are half-Christians. Our calling is much higher than simply running away from what's wrong." This speaks directly to my heart. We are supposed to live in Christ's example.
We should not only care for ourselves but also those around us. It is so easy to be selfish. It's so easy to get caught up in our own sickness and discomfort. To forget that other's are suffering too. Out of sight out of mind. There are people hungry, cold, hurt, sick, sad, lost, lonely, without hope... I need to keep my eyes on Jesus so that I can remember that I am blessed in so many ways. I need to live his example and share.
I also need to not be afraid to step up when God calls me. I often feel like I am not smart enough, strong enough, talented enough, good enough to do whatever. I need to remember that God is all those things so I don't have to worry, he'll provide.
Wow, I think I have my fill to think about tonight! Have a good night friends. Hugs and prayers Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Good morning friends,
Hens,
Thank you for praying for God to use me to unite my family in His name. I do appreciate that very much.
daisy,
I plan to watch the link with Nick V. He is always an inspiration.
sammy,
Lots of good thoughts that you share....things to think about.
Hi MDW!
Just sharing a scripture this morning...
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
I just watched Nick V in the link daisy provided above.
It WAS amazing and touching!
He said this that really touched me...
"When you don't get a miracle, you can still be used as a miracle for someone else."
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
I've read your posts since my last post, oh WOW, that IS much to think about.
Hens, always good to be reminded that "God IS always with us!" Thanks for sharing!
Sammy, and you, too. Great to be reminded that "God is with us."
Yeah, when we think we need Him least, we probably really do need Him most...and the good news, great news, HE IS WITH US!
Dekrator, so glad you watched Nick V. That truly was a great line he said. He did not get his miracle...having legs and arms grow out, yet he is such a miracle to millions. Amazing the door that God has opened for him. He really has a funny sense of humor too. What a brother in Christ!!!
Everyone, Have a great day. All we have is now.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." Ephesians 6:10
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
Good morning,
What a beautiful song I awoke to this morning besides the birds singing outside on a gorgious beautiful morning. I share
No time to redo my make up so can't have tears over this song...I will worship Him all day though.
Beautiful Sunday to my friends.
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
God Morning Friends (no that is not a typo)
This is the day the Lord has made, yes, a God day to everyone this morning.
MDW, God Morning! Thank you for posting such a beautiful song. AMEN! Beautiful song to wake up.
The chorus says, "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon the cross..."
...this one thing I can say about those word...I know it cost Him EVERYTHING...No I don't understand this side of eternity what all that means in relationship to Ephesians 2:7 where it talks about how Jesus emptied Himself and made Himself nothing...
...but what Jesus did through the cross, He took away EVERYTHING sinful in my life. That part I've experienced! Hallelujah!
Whom the Son makes free is free indeed (see John 8:36).
Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
And that reminds me of another song. I think this is the rendition I like best, not sure "like" is the right word...ummmm, this is the rendition that I think most accurately portrays the "spirit" of the song.
Wintley Phipps is an amazing singer (to me, the the male equal of Sandy Patty) and what he shares in the first part of the video is worth knowing.
BTW, I do not have my makeup on yet, so when he sang the song, I let the tears flow freely.
Thank You, Lord, for Your AMAZING GRACE and EVERYTHING ELSE.
Have a very God-blessed Day!
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
Daisy not nice! I am just a big cry baby these days. What a touching song to my soul and on several levels. Let me get a tissue be right back.... Okay I am back, not nice. Thank goodness my make-up melted from my walk today. It was a great walk.
When I thought I wouldn't make it a couple times, I felt this little push in my heart and soul to keep me going in the 75 degree weather. It was awesome.
I read and a bit today, if I could share with you... I thought it was pretty.
Open my eyes that I may see the deepest needs of people; move my hands that they may feed the hungry; touch my heart that it may bring warmth to the despairing; teach me the generosity that welcomes strangers; let me share my possessions to clothe the naked; give me the care that strengthens the sick; make me share in the quest to set the prisoner free. In sharing our anxieties and our love, our poverty and our prosperity, we partake in your devine presence. Canaan Banana (1936-2003)
we also talked about nakedness....
church service
I have had a blessed day.
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
MDW, So very glad the walk worked out for you as you "got your push". PTL! I know how important that was to you...and a good cause to.
That is beautiful what you wrote! It reminds me of a very well knows prayer by Francis of Assisi as follows (actually this is from a link I copied and pasted so it gives info other than the prayer too).
The prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Information about St. Francis:
St. Francis was born at Assisi in 1182. After a care free youth, he turned his back on inherited wealth and committed himself to God. Like many early saints, he lived a very simple life of poverty, and in so doing, gained a reputation of being the friend of animals. He established the rule of St Francis, which exists today as the Order of St. Francis, or the Franciscans. He died in 1226, aged 44.
The prayer has many of the biblical truths of what it means to be a Christian - to seek to give, and in so doing, receive blessings; that the Lord's Prayer asks God to forgive us as we forgive, and that the goal of eternal life can only result from us putting to death our old sinful lives.
Praying everyone is having a good evening.
Have a great week living for the One who lived and died and rose for us!
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
PS: That "Amazing Grace" link above every time it starts and he begins humming...I can't help but get tears. I can imagine it.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Hi friends,
I hope you've had a good God day!
I have a couple praises to share with you. I was able to make it to church today! It was such a blessing just to be able to go. I haven't been to church for many many weeks, my joint pain and stiffness was too unbearable, I couldn't sit still for the service. God has allowed this IV Gentamicin to work wonders to greatly reduce my joint pain. I was able to stand up with and sit down with ease today. It truly is a miracle in my mind
Plus my best friend went to the same service this morning so we were able to sit together. And catch up some afterwards. That was another special gift.
Being sick has made me appreciate more of life. I used to take so much for granted like the act of sitting down without pain and being able to go to church every sunday. Who would have thought. Now I know. Life really is a gift.
Hugs to all Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Good Morning Friends,
Sammy, what a beautiful, encouraging post. That's awesome. So glad the IV Gentamincin is working wonders. Yes! Miracles still do happen. Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Rejoicing with you in your very good day yesterday. Being able to go to church, meet up with your friend. What a blessed day you had indeed!
It is so easy to just take life for granted and forget it IS a gift. One of the advantages of not feeling well at times IS appreciating life...and another is having empathy for people who are in pain or going through a rough time. Amazing how God can use anything in life to be a blessing.
Yeah, we are blessed to be a blessing and, Sammy, you are a blessing.
Have a great day friends.
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
God bless you and your spirit of faith. The first three times sick, then remission I was full of hope. This time around I feel it has taken my life and all that I love. I still have them, I try to be here in body and spirit, but I'm dead. I guess when it's gone on so long, you feel as if you're t a dead end. Brain, emotion issues, I w so bubbly and full of life, I am reduced to nothing. On herbals, antibiotics failed me after 3 times of remisssion. Please pray for me. I'm numb to be scared, except my soul cries when I do. I do love life, but it has turned into a place I don't want to be. Have psych, ll psychologist, justvreally lost. God bless u all. I always appreciated what I had, this why this hurts so much.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Good morning friends,
I've enjoyed catching up, reading what has happened since I last posted.
Thanks, MDW and daisy, for the beautiful songs you posted. Music always makes me feel better.
So glad you made it through your walk, MDW....fantastic!! I am picturing the beautiful 75 degree weather. It will be awhile until we have that here.
sammy, How absolutely wonderful that your joint pain and stiffness has been reduced by the IV Gentamycin!!
It is a blessing to appreciate life more...I can relate to that....and how much it means to spend time with a good friend....and to make it to church too!!!
daisy, Thanks for sharing the Prayer of St Francis.
I especially feel touched by this part...
"For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."
My husband's Uncle died on Sat. His health had been declining for several years. He was 79.
Later today we will attend the visitation at the Funeral Home and then tomorrow is the funeral.
Praying that you all will feel blessed today.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
lyme in putnam,
I am blessed that you have come here and shared your heart with us.
I am praying for you and will continue to do so.
Please come back here as often as you can... I can feel your love of God.
Our God is the God of all hope!
This scripture has helped me in times of feeling hopeless...
Philippians 4:6-9 (NIV) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I find that it helps me to "flood" myself everyday with inspirational messages of hope through Jesus Christ.
It really has helped me to keep going.
Coming here to God Thought, listening to Contemporary Christian Music on the radio, reading the Bible (reading it chronologically with others here), praying, reading inpirational books, watching Joyce Meyer's broadcasts on her website (they are fantastic!), watching other Christian shows on tv, finding some way to be a help to others, church, exercising, talking with a friend......these things give me hope everyday.
Nick V...the man with no arms and legs that daisy posted about, is such an inspiration.
So much on my heart to share after reading lyme in Putnam's post and Dekrator's post and responses this morning.
I'm at work now and will try and respond when I get breaks.
Dekrator, I was planning on starting the new God Thought thread with "Our God is Greater" so glad you shared that.
And maybe we'll let this thread keep going for another day or so...
I'll be back.
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Dear lyme in Putnam,
I read your post with tears in my eyes. All that you've been through does hurt so much...you've been through a lot.
I thank you so much for sharing your heart with us. It's important to get those thoughts and feelings out. I'm so glad you found God Thought.
I've learned that feelings can be so deceptive. Who knows, You may respond quite well on the natural remedies and feel better and better before you know it.
Yopu have my/our prayers. We're here to encourage you.
I, too was treated with abx (the long haul), only to relapse, relapse, relapse.
I'm following Dr. J (in Kansas) protocol, not abx. Overall I am responding well as my body, especially my immune system, is being built up and I'm on remedies to combat this.
I remember when I relapsed last year...I ALMOST went into YIKES mode...it is an easy thing to do.
Glad for the support I have...especially on God Thought. Just when I need a word, someone shares the right words. Just when I need encouragement, someone shares just what I need to hear.
Our God is the God of ALL hope. May you sense His peace and especially fresh hope. May you sense His loving arms around you. He is close to those who are broken hearted. He goes out of His way looking for the lost...He finds them right where they are. Nothing like being found by our Creator, the One who loves us with an everlasting love.
Today is a new day with lots of possibilities.
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Dekrator, Sorry for the loss of your husband's uncle. May God give peace and may His grace be sufficient. Our God is such a wonderful Comforter.
And thanks for posting the encouraging words for everyone and the links.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Friends,
I just wanted to post the link to lyme in Putnams's other post titled, "How do u get faith back?" in case anyone would like to respond.
Have a great day!
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Yesterday at church we sang this song. The words are simple. The truth is life changing! It is sung by Kris Allen, American Idol winner Season 8. (I've included the words belows).
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[bow]](graemlins/bow.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[lol]](graemlins/lol.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
Glad to see that you could pop in for a minute! I look forward to hearing about the book.![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[woohoo]](graemlins/woohoo.gif)