in response to positive thoughts...You are welcome. It seems like a great book. Nice to have treasures from our mom's. I am glad it comforts you. I have mom's mother's Bible and I think my dad's mom's little prayer book. I have to look at book case to see if I can find them. Sorry I missed this as I was laying on the couch with leg up.
Love and hugs to you.
in response to Starshine...Thanks it has helped me. I don't even know where she purchased the book from but have many great treasures from her. Lots of Gods Blessings.
Love and hugs
Thank you for sharing your mom's prayer book. This prayer is lovely. We all need to be reminded of the words in this prayer.
Many blessings to you.
Starshine
Hello, My mother had passed away last year in August. She had a strong belief in the power of prayer just as I do. While going through her things at the time I had come across a prayer book that she had. I would like to share one of those prayers. It brings me great comfort. written by Gary Wilde and Margaret Anne Huffman
O Lord, hear my prayer for all who are in trouble this day.
Comfort those who are:
facing the loss of a loved one. After the wrenching grief, let their lonely hours be filled with fond memories of days gone by;
passing their days without work. During this time of financial stress, give them energy to make their employment the job of finding new work.
Encourage those who are:
finding it difficult to believe in the future. Let your hope fill their hearts as they recall all your past faithfulness;
doubting the truth of your existence or the validity of your promises. Bring wise friends into their lives who have long known the reality of your love;
struggling to make ends meet. Let them be assured that you can take care of every need, no matter how large or small.
Heal those who are:
suffering pain and illness. Let them find rest and calm as they seek to make the idle moments pass more quickly;
racked in mind and stressed out emotionally.
Cradle their minds in your love and soothe every irrational thought that seeks to run out of control.
Uphold those who are:
being tempted in any way today. Especially those who may want to end their lives. Show them that while there is life there is hope, that change is the only constant, and that change for the better is so likely;
looking at all the negative aspects of life and finding it depressing. May they find joy in just one moment at a time. And may that be enough for now.
In all these ways I ask your blessing upon those in trouble. And please include me in that blessing, too!
Thankyou Lord Jesus for hearing our prayers and answering them all. Amen.
Recently I responded to a thread that addressed the topic of those who were considered to be the best writers of a particular forum as well as who were considered to be the most intelligent. I looked at it the list and only saw one person that I knew, and I know quite a few. Though one could make the argument that perhaps some were slightly upset by the list because we were not on the list that was not my motivation for writing this discussion, my motivation was to promote thought. As I sat here writing my response to that particular topic my thoughts were on competition and the general nature of competition in a capitalistic free market system. My further thoughts as a teacher and parent were the effects of such competition on friendships as well as personal growth of the individual.
In my continuing education as an educator the methodologies for motivating students has changed radically since the days of the “gold star” and “blue birds” reading groups. We have realized as educators that this type of motivation does not work well. We have realized that we need to find ways to help students become intrinsically motivated. We also realize that separating our students by ability such as the old way of teaching reading did more harm than good. The good readers became better, but the poor readers stayed the same or became poorer readers. As educators began to understand this changes were made in how we teach reading, and we began to see that a mixture of students helped both. Stronger readers pulled the struggling readers up and sometimes beyond, and the strong readers still increased!
What was my reason for using an educational story? It is not much different in the world of adults. A person may not be the strongest writer on a forum but that in no sense of the word reflects upon their intelligence. I feel that perhaps this stigma though could cause a person to write less, and perhaps eventually stop participating. That does not seem to be beneficial for anyone. I also feel that this type of competition can lead to hurt feelings and loss of friendships. And it does not seem to be of benefit for individual growth. I believe we need to be very careful of our choice of words and think about their effect on others. Though we should motivate our friends and others to do their best, certain buzz words can make them feel horrible about themselves and this is not something that does the individual any benefit.
It is one thing to offer up suggestions in private to help friends grow; it is another to create a “list”. This sort of list or style of listing makes me think of the slam books so many junior high school students keep saying who is “in” and who is “out”. There is a lovely feature on the particular forum mentioned that allows us to email friends topics we find interesting or feel are worth the view, I feel this cuts down on any competition and hurt feelings.
What are your feelings on this topic? Can competition such as this be harmful to friendships and the growth of the person?
Children are special beings given to us with permission. It is our duty to be good stewards of our charges and to not hamper, hinder, or ruin their spirits while in our care. This does not mean to allow one's child to go without discipline, teaching, and so forth, but it does mean to guide and not to live through, and to let go when the time comes.
A farmer is in Iowa during a flood. The river is overflowing. Water is surrounding the farmer’s home up to his front porch. As he is standing there, a boat comes up. The man in the boat says, “Jump in, and I’ll take you to safety.”
The farmer crosses his arms and says stubbornly, “Oh no thanks, I put my trust in God.” The boat goes away. The water rises to the second story. Another boat comes up. The man says to the farmer, who is now at the second floor window, “Hurry, jump in. I’ll save you.”
The farmer again says, “Oh no thanks, I put my trust in God.”
The boat goes away. Now the water is inching over the roof. As the farmer stands on the roof, a helicopter comes over, and drops a ladder. The pilot yells down to the farmer, “I’ll save you. Climb the ladder.”
The farmer yells back, “Oh no thanks, I put my trust in God.”
The helicopter goes away. The water continues to rise and sweeps the farmer off the roof into the swiftly moving water. Unfortunately, he drowns.
The farmer goes to heaven. God sees him and says, “What are you doing here?”
The farmer says, “I put my trust in you, and you let me down.”
God says, “What do you mean, let you down? I sent you two boats and a helicopter!”
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby. Somebody doesn't know that once you're a parent normal is history.
Somebody said you learn how to be a parent by instinct. Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
Somebody said being a parent is boring. Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.
Somebody said if you're a "good" parent your child will "turn out well." Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
Somebody said "good" parents never raise their voices. Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see his or her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a parent. Somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.
Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first. Somebody doesn't have five children.
Somebody said a parent can find all the answers to child-rearing questions in books. Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose.
Somebody said a parent can stop worrying after his or her child gets married. Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to their heartstrings.
Somebody said your parents know you love them so you don't need to tell them. Somebody isn't a parent.
Somebody said a parent's job is done when the last child leaves home. Somebody never had grandchildren.
what do you know about me? or i about you? how much time have we taken( with the purest intentions) to get to know each other? when you see me pass do you offer charity in a smile, or a silent greeting of peace? when was the last time you looked at a tree,animal,lake,ocean,moon,sun,flower or even felt the wind and thought.."what a wonderful CREATOR"? what are we here for in this world? to work, play, sleep and indulge..work, play, sleep and indulge..until time has gotten away from us.. then what? there will come a time for all of us when we will want to have back the one thing that no one can have..time. what do we know about our CREATOR? what do we care? are we too busy enjoying the things that we have created in the world, to remember the cause of it all? from the womb, to the earth, to the tomb, those are our three stops. think of it as a one way train ride; we arrive at the station, take the ride, and get off at our destination. the longest part of that journey is spent just enjoying the ride without regards of the final stop... we should all get to know and remeber daily our CREATOR during this short stay in this world. learning and teaching is good, but truly knowing.. is the difference.
That is nice........i liked reading your story.......i prayed this morning while i walked on my tred mill......i feel alot better today....maybe something will come of it.........Thanks again......
Sometimes after Praying! We can put on some Spiritual Music & God will speak to Your Heart!I believe that My New CD will do just that! Please check it out & Please purchase it if Speaks to You! God Loves You & so Do I!
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Hi, I was checking in. The past week has been a busy and very productive one. I update the OPMusicHouse website with current events and announcements.
The most recent additions are that I am spotlighted on this week's Sound Magazine radio show on Citadel stations at 1.24.10 at 6am. It is my story about rising above domestic violence (mind you, 22 years of it), and doing good in giving back.
The more I write, the more I realize, which helps me to grow and be a better person. Being a better person to me, means making a positive impact in people's lives. Based on comments on the article about me in WNY Women in Business, I am have been an inspiration to several people. That fulfills my sense of purpose.
But I am greedy, and want to inspire more people. I feel that I suffered for all those years for a reason. The reason unfurls with every comment and feedback I get, saying that I made them smile, or feel worthwhile, or helped them to see something they didn't see before.
I feel that I was brushed off and set on my feet by God himself, and that the inner glow and burn I feel every minute of every day is His "lantern of hope" and my job is to hold it high.
Call me kooky if you will, it's my story, my belief. And I told you before that the more I talk the more I am rewarded by visions of beauty. That is the reason I don't leave the house without my digital camera. This way I can take pictures to provide the backup, so people know that I do spread good and truth.
And I'm not doing this for money. As I type I have some severely delinquent bills and I just wait for things like my water to be turned off. I have not been paid a cent for writing, and my column, for examiner.com, albeit the reader subscriptions and positive vibe, owes me a total of $4. (Yes, four dollars).
What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger. Maybe I am crossing the line of faith and jumping into stupidity. I don't know. But at least if I go down, its for the right reasons. I am being the best I can be.
TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK: If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind... I will not respond in a like manner.
TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY:" If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.
TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY: I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.
TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE: I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.
TODAY I WILL FORGIVE: I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.
TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL NOT DO IT SECRETLY: I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.
TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED: I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.
TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED: My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.
TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY: I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank GOD for my body.
TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY: I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to GOD's voice!!!
Have you ever heard a song from so long ago with so many memories tied to it that it made you cry? And didn't you with that you could go back into time when everything seemed so much simpler and carefree? Those are songs that are the soundtrack of our lives... the ones that bring back childhood memories, best friends, first love, first heartbreak... the memories.
Every new day is another chance to change your life.
The hardest years in life are those between ten and seventy.
The times in life, that seems to be the worst, always turn out for the best!
Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
Take chances. Tell the truth. Date someone totally wrong for you. Say no. Spend all your cash! Fall in love. Get to know someone random. Be random. Say I love you. Sing out loud. Laugh at a stupid joke. Cry. Get revenge. Apologize. Tell someone how much they mean to you. Tell the asshole what you feel. Let someone know what they're missing. Laugh til your stomach hurts. LIVE LIFE!
If you can't solve it, it isn't a problem - it's reality. And sometimes reality is the hardest thing to understand and the thing that takes the longest to realize. But once it hits you in the face you'll never forget it. It will always be there in your memories and sometimes that is the best way to look at it.
Life is all about risks and it requires you to jump. Don't be a person who has to look back and wonder what they would have or could have had. No one waits forever.
Sometimes the littlest thing in life changes something forever and there will be times when you wish you can go back to how things used to be but you just can't because things have changed so much.
You only live once, so do everything twice.
In your life, you meet people. Some you never think about again. Some, you wonder what happened to them. There are some that you wonder if they ever think about you. And then there are some you wish you never had to think about again. But you do.
There are no mistakes in life, only lessons.
The greatest risk in life is not taking one.
Tomorrow is a blank page, just waiting to be filled with your dreams... All you have to do is be yourself and live the story of your own unique life. Be proud. Be confident. And most of all be happy.
The journey in between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life really takes place.
Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate you friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.
I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned the hard way that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, or end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's to happen next.
There's a point in life when you start to realize who matter; who never did; and who always will.
In life God doesn't give you the people you want, instead He gives you the people you need. To teach you, to hurt you, to love you, and make you exactly the way you should be.
Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.
Rock bottom is good solid ground, and a dead end street is just a place to turn around.
Cherish your yesterdays and dream your tomorrows, but most importantly, don't forget to live your today's.
Sometimes you gotta stop and remember that your not gonna live forever. Be young, thing smart, stay true and just follow your heart.
Half of life is fucking up - the other half is dealing with it.
Every story has an end, but in life every ending is just a new beginning.
If you die you're completely happy and your soul somewhere lives on. I'm not afraid of dying. Total peace after death, becoming someone else is the best hope I've got
My heart was touched by God today. His touch, his word, is like a fresh wind blowing upon my heart. There was a certain peace that covered me, calming my nerves, giving me strength, giving me the courage to face whatever life might bring upon me.
For the first time in a long time, I was not afraid. My joy and my peace were not dependent anymore on outside circumstances that I could not control. God is in control. And faith, is a very precious gift. I felt good, I saw beauty again, like I was in love.
I’ve read tons of self-help books before, yet I remained stressed and unhappy, always preoccupied with something - a goal. Only to be always frustrated by not reaching that goal.
I saw how futile all my strivings were. I didn’t want to live like that anymore. I’ve decided not to live like that anymore. I will not delay my joy, my peace.
I used to think we cannot choose happiness, that only hypocrites say that. But now I’ve found a way. We choose happiness when we finally choose to SURRENDER. We choose happiness when we finally choose GOD.
Here since: Feb 20, 2012
Female, 32
Henrico, VA, US
Hello
This is my first time on this site. I have been searching online for help just as many of you on here do. I am a wife and mother of 3 children. My husband, oldest child, and I are disabled. We... see full post
Here since: Nov 10, 2009
Female, 30
stay at home mom
Winter Haven, FL, US
Languages: english
I am a mother of three with one on the way I was recently laid off from my job and now looking for work which things are hard at this time but I am doing my best. Me and my baby on the way father is s... see full post
Hi, I was checking in. The past week has been a busy and very productive one. I update the OPMusicHouse website with current events and announcements.
