Benefit

Never turn down a job because you think it's too small; you don't know where it can lead - Julia Morgan.

How short is our vision of where an invitation might take us!  Any invitation.  Of one thing we can be certain, it offers an opportunity for making a choice, which means taking responsibility for who we're becoming.  Choice-making is growth-enhancing because it strengthens our awareness of personal power.

Our lives unfold in small measures, just as small as they need to be for our personal comfort.  It's doubtful that we would handle everything the future has in store, today; however, we will be prepared for it, measure by measure, choice by choice, day by day.  We need not fear; what is meted out to us in the invitations offered for our benefit.  We are on a pathway to betterment.

The thrill of making choices.  When we've opted for a life that's passive, all too often, we become increasingly aware of, and often depressed by, our self-imposed powerlessness.  Free at last!  We are free at last to fully participate in our lives.

______________

I will be grateful for the many options to act tugging at me today.  Every choice I make strengthens me.

K. Casey

** "An Allegory of Prudence" ...

In his painting "An Allegory of Prudence," the 16th-century Venetian artist Titian portrayed Prudence as a man with three heads. One head was of a youth facing the future, another of a mature man eyeing the present, and the third, a wise old man gazing at the past. Over their heads Titian wrote a Latin phrase that means, "From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future."

We need that kind of wisdom to overcome the anxiety created by our past failures and the fear of repeating them in the future - an anxiety that can keep us from enjoying life to the fullest right now.

Paul was able to "forget" his past and anticipate his future (Phil. 3:13-14). This doesn't mean that his memory was erased; it means that because God had forgiven him, Paul was free of any guilt or pride he may have felt from his past. As he lived in daily fellowship with Christ, trials could only make him more like his Savior, So he had one driving passion - to know Christ better.

As we close the chapter of the year, let's rededicate ourselves to Christ next year and follow Paul's example. Jesus will enable us to live fully in the present as we gain wisdom from the past and face the future with courage. DJD

Lord, I'm standing at the door
Of this new untarnished year;
Help me to live it all for Thee,
Use me in Thy service here. - McAllaster.

"I press toward the goal . . . , join in following my example. - Philippians 3:14,17.

NEVER LET A BLEAK PAST CLOUD A BRIGHT FUTURE !!!

~ It's a Party and You're Invited... ~

Sent: Monday, April 04, 2011

Subject: It's a party...

It's a Party and You're Invited...

DAY: "Cherish the Past" (learn from it).

TIME: "Adorn the Present" (Love it).

PLACE: "Construct the Future".

~ WHERE Is Our Faith ? ! ~

'He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples' (LUKE 8: 24-25a).

Where is our faith when the things we want most in life seem always to elude us? Where is our faith when a loved one is snatched away, when sorrow comes and tears fill our eyes?

Where is our faith when our world seems to be tumbling in? Where is our faith when others look to us for strength, and we are weak? Where is our faith when we cannot see beyond our trials to know the whys and wherefores?

Where is our faith when doubts come, and we feel that God has forsaken us? Where is our faith when our hearts break with the realization that our dreams are not coming true? Where is our faith when we have prayed and our answers seem so long in coming?

Is it in the One who holds the future in His hands, the One who can calm the mighty winds? Do we trust Him when we cannot see or do we walk blindly as others do? Help us, Lord, when our faith is weak. Take our hands and lead us gently.

When trying days come our way, let us cling to the only thing in life that is steadfast and sure. He will dry the tears from our eyes, set our hearts aglow and fill us with His joy.

JUDY FREELAND

~ Pray ? ~

READ:
Philippians 4:1-9

"In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God". - Philippians 4:6

When people face trials, they often turn to prayer only as a last resort. I knew a man who was fighting a valiant battle with cancer. As people observed the gradual effect on his body and lifestyle, one person said, "Well, they've tried everything else. I guess it's time to begin praying."

Another man was going through an extremely difficult time at work. It was a crisis of major proportions that had ominous implications for him and for the future of his company. He just couldn't resolve it. Finally he said, "I've tried everything I know to get through this situation and nothing has worked. It's time to start praying."

In both of these instances, prayer was seen as a last-ditch effort to resolve the problem. Only after all other options were eliminated did the person decide to pray. It was a desperate "grasping at straws."

INSTEAD of prayer being a last resort, it should be one of the first things we do. The Lord answers prayer, and He wants us to come to Him continually with all of our needs (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Bible tells us to "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer . . . let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).

So don't wait. It's always time to pray! - DE

Any hour when helping others
Or when bearing heavy care
Is the time to call our Father -
It's the proper time for prayer. - Zimmerman

Prayer should be our first response rather than our last resort.

N.B. Praying continually keeps you close to God!!

* "Hi, dear Diary .. " (this MAY well be my final posting on this blog) !

Hi, dear Diary,

Haven't been particularly well over the past fortnight. * Have been challenged and am being challenged as to how I handle my health problems. Not much fun I must confess, but believe, as it's said, "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger"!

SERIOUSLY trying to engage if it's worth pursuing a/this blog in the near future - or in any of my current future. IS it valuable to continue? I certainly need to put specially efficacious guidelines in place if I want to redeem any personal stamina. Multiple Sclerosis is insidious. Have been very lethargic - more than normal for Multiple Sclerosis (been so "up and down") and have had the appropriate blood-tests that there are to have. Feel as though I'm "burn't out"!

"Indy" Cat is keeping me company at the moment which is a nice thought. She's loyal and faithful.

I'm embracing her gentleness (if she was human, her soothing; courteous nature would contribute to her being called a Gentlewoman). It's good having quiet times.

Time will tell,

Kim.

P.S: You are most welcome to view/read the blog Archive!!