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Posted on 12/31/2019 7:29:35 PM PST by JustAmy
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Hope you all had a great Friday
Looking forward to Caturday/Dogurday
have a good night!
My Friday was pretty nice, even though it started out as an errand, ended up antiquing with my sister and eating home-made guacamole! :-)
Bible in a Year:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.
Technology today seems to demand our constant attention. The modern “miracle” of the internet gives us the amazing capacity to access humanity’s collective learning in the palm of our hand. But for many, such constant access can come at a cost.
Writer Linda Stone has coined the phrase “continual partial attention” to describe the modern impulse to always need to know what’s happening “out there,” to make sure we’re not missing anything. If that sounds like it could produce chronic anxiety, you’re right!
Although the apostle Paul struggled with different reasons for anxiety, he knew our souls are wired to find peace in God. Which is why, in a letter to new believers who’d endured persecution (1 Thessalonians 2:14), Paul concluded by urging the believers to “rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances” (5:16–18).
Praying “continually” might seem pretty daunting. But then, how often do we check our phones? What if we instead let that urge be a prompt to talk to God?
More important, what if we learned to exchange a need to always be in “the know” for continual, prayerful rest in God’s presence? Through relying on Christ’s Spirit, we can learn to give our heavenly Father our continual full attention as we make our way through each day.
How would you say technology impacts your faith, both negatively and positively? What might help you grow in undivided focus on God?
Father, thank You for inviting us into a relationship with You, one in which You long to hear from us continually.
Thank you.
Dogs come when they're called;
cats take a message and get back to you later.
Mary Bly
Happy Caturday, Dogurday and Bunnyday, everyone!
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I love looking for antiques.
Been enjoying treasure hunting at thrift stores for several years too.
We saw sunshine today after almost 10 days of clouds.
Is not very cold either.
Might see near 50 degrees Sunday.
A warm, springlike day!
Perfect for “antiquing”! :-)
Bible in a Year:
A crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning.
One January morning I woke expecting to see the same dreary midwinter landscape that had greeted me for several weeks: beige grass poking through patches of snow, gray skies, and skeletal trees. Something unusual had happened overnight, though. A frost had coated everything with ice crystals. The lifeless and depressing landscape had become a beautiful scene that glistened in the sun and dazzled me.
Sometimes we view problems without the imagination it takes to have faith. We expect pain, fear, and despair to greet us every morning, but overlook the possibility of something different ever happening. We don’t expect recovery, growth, or victory through God’s power. Yet the Bible says God is the one who helps us through difficult times. He repairs broken hearts and liberates people in bondage. He comforts the grieving with “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3).
It isn’t that God just wants to cheer us up when we have problems. It’s that He Himself is our hope during trials. Even if we have to wait for heaven to find ultimate relief, God is present with us, encouraging us and often giving us glimpses of Himself. In our journey through life, may we come to understand St. Augustine’s words: “In my deepest wound I saw your glory, and it dazzled me.”
How can you turn to God when you’re in trouble? What rewards can come from this practice?
Faithful God, give me the faith I need to make it through today and help me to see You at work as I face adversity.
To learn more about helping people, visit christianuniversity.org/CC205.
Thank you.
A Prayer for the Forgiveness of Sins
My Jesus, I place all my sins before you. In my estimation They do not deserve pardon, But I ask you To close your eyes To my want of merit And open them To your infinite merit.
Since you willed To die for my sins, Grant me forgiveness For all of them. Thus, I may no longer feel The burden of my sins, A burden that oppresses me Beyond measure.
Assist me, dear Jesus, For I desire to become good No matter what the cost Take away, destroy, And utterly root out Whatever you find in me That is contrary To your holy will. At the same time, dear Jesus, illumine me So that I may walk in your holy light.
St. Gemma Galgani
Peace and joy to you all this glorious Sunday!
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Good Sunday morning!
Was just watching the chickadees here at my window feeder.
cheers
Beautiful prayer.
Amen!
God Bless America.....I’ll second that!
The birds are really hungry this morning.
Great bird watching!
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