FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 21st, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 21st, 2008

TODAY'S THOUGHT

I do not understand the mystery of grace--only that it meets us where we are, but does not leave us where it found us.

Anne Lamott

TODAY’S ACTION

Be thankful for all you are learning, and grateful to all those who are teaching you

TODAY’S QUOTE

The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.

Blaise Pascal

HAPPY THURSDAY !!

I had a great time at the fair with DD and her hubby last night.

This evening after work I head for the campground.

The word is that it is hot dog fest time on Friday evening so I’ll be making some good chili sauce to have on them. It seems we all have hot dogs in our freezer and it’s time to use them up.

We always eat way too well every weekend and I’ve probably gained another 10 pounds this summer. I never eat so much when I’m home. I’ll just wear clothing with looser waistlines I guess. Dieting is impossible.

Maybe in the fall I’ll get more exercise raking leaves.

Take good care all and I’ll see you as always with my newsletter come Monday morning.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S PRAYERS

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU !

25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me, and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name

TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God, and in God’s time all things will be made well.

TODAY IS…DISTILLED WATER DAY

Distilled water is the purest water available. It's just water - plain old H2O. Everything else is removed when it's converted from liquid to steam during the distillation process. It has no taste, so using it can bring out the flavor of your coffee, tea or food. And it won't leave mineral deposits to clog up your coffee pot. The only problem is... since we are used to drinking water out of the tap, it doesn't taste like water

TODAY’S TRIVIA

Today is Cadillac Day. The first Cadillac was built on this day in 1902

Today is National Spumoni Day

Today is Hawaii Day. Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state on this date in 1959

1887: Phillies’ pitcher Dan Casey struck out in the 9th inning of a game against the New York Giants. The event inspired Ernest L. Thayer to write the classic poem "Casey at the Bat."

1935: Benny Goodman, introducing a new "big-band" jazz style, opened at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles and was hailed as "The King of Swing." The swing era had begun

TODAY’S SMILE

You lovers of the English language might enjoy this:

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is "UP."

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?

We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car. At other times the little word has real special meaning.

People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing:

A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!

To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.

If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.

When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP. When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.

One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP, so... time to shut UP...!

TODAY’S WORD

bruit \BROOT\, transitive verb:

To report; to noise abroad

Bruit comes from Old French, from the past participle of bruire, to roar

TODAY’S REFLECTION

You shall be my people and I will be your God.

EZEKIEL 36: 23-28

From all eternity, O Lord, you are, and you chose me to be your own. St Paul says: ‘whether we live or die then we belong to the Lord.’ God chose each of us individually, but he did not call us in isolation.

We were to be his people, his family, each of us endowed with power to think and love, each of us gifted to be God’s adopted son or daughter loved as only God can love.

We are highly privileged to be God’s chosen ones. That privilege brings responsibilities, firstly to strive always to love and obey out heavenly father, standing firm in and ready to share with others the faith that God has entrusted to us

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

Try drinking nettle tea to relieve hay fever

32 DAYS UNTIL FALL !

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today and may you have the EYES to SEE it!

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA

MY HOMEPAGE

I believe we should live ‘ON THE BRIGHT SIDE’ www.bigmarainey.com

MY JOURNALS http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/GoodMorningSunshine/

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below: http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/ONTHEBRIGHTSIDE/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6 http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20th, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 20TH, 2008

TODAY'S THOUGHT

Autumn to winter, winter to spring,

Spring into summer, summer into fall--

So rolls the changing year, and so we change;

Motion so swift, we know not that we move.

Dinah Mulock Craik

TODAY’S ACTION

You change your life by changing your heart

Max Lucado

TODAY’S QUOTE

Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It's our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit.

Mary Lou Retton

HAPPY WEDNESDAY !!

OVER THE HUMP DAY!

After today I only have one more day til my 3 day weekend. Wednesdays are usually pretty good days at work. Any more they are all it seems.

 Last summer I barely had time to do what I did do, but this summer is a totally different story. I don’t know if that is good or bad. Our work really slows down when bad weather comes so I don’t know what I’ll be doing then.

Mean while I’ll look forward to enjoying the days at the camper and be thankful for vacation days.

I’m off to our county fair this evening after work with DD and her hubby . Hopefully, I’ll get some pictures to share.

Take good care all !

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S PRAYERS

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me, and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name

TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God, and in God’s time all things will be made well.

TODAY IS…THOMAS EDISON DAY

Thomas Alva Edison was the world's greatest inventor. Born in 1847, in Milan, Ohio, he patented 1,093 inventions. The most famous was the light bulb, but he also developed the first phonograph and kinetoscope (for viewing moving film). In tribute to his genius, electric lights in the U.S. were dimmed for one minute on October 21, 1931, a few days after his death

TODAY’S TRIVIA

Today is National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day

National Lemonade Day

1741 - Alaska was discovered by Danish navigator Vitus Jonas Bering. That’s how the Bering Sea got its name

1960: Singer Connie Francis made her acting debut on the set of the movie Where the Boys Are

TODAY’S SMILE

DOESN’T IT FEEL GOOD?

Falling in love.

 Laughing so hard your face hurts.

 A hot shower.

No lines at the Super Wal-Mart or SAKS.

A special glance.

Getting mail.

Taking a drive on a pretty road.

Hearing your favorite song on the radio.

Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.

Hot towels out of the dryer.

Finding the sweater you want is on sale for half price.

 A Chocolate Milkshake. (or vanilla!)

A long distance phone call.

A bubble bath.

Giggling.

A good conversation.

The beach.

Finding a $20 bill in your coat from last winter.

Laughing at yourself.

Midnight phone calls that last for hours.

Running through sprinklers.

Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.

Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.

Laughing at an inside joke.

Friends.

Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.

Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.

 Your first kiss.

Making new friends or spending time with old ones.

Playing with a new puppy.

Having someone play with your hair.

Sweet dreams.

Hot chocolate with Marshmallows.

Road trips with friends.

Swinging on swings.

Wrapping presents under the Christmas tree while eating cookies and drinking eggnog.

Song lyrics printed inside your new CD so you can sing along without feeling stupid.

Going to a really good concert.

Making eye contact with an attractive stranger.

Winning a really competitive game.

Making chocolate chip cookies.

Having your friends send you homemade cookies.

Holding hands with someone you care about.

Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.

Riding the best roller coasters over and over.

Watching the sunrise.

Getting out of bed every morning and thanking God for another beautiful day.

TODAY’S WORD

 aestival \ES-tuh-vuhl\, adjective:

Of or belonging to the summer; as, aestival diseases From the Latin æstas, summer

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Did we not agree on one denarius?

Matthew 20:1-16

God’s reward for our efforts is generously given and we are truly grateful. That is until we see a Johnny-come-lately extended the same generosity. ‘Not fair!’ we cry. We seethe with jealousy and fume over the apparent favoritism. ‘I’ve worked a whole day, yet she’s just worked an hour!’ ‘I’ve been an honest man my whole life, but he only reformed a few months ago!’

Through his parable of the vineyard laborers, Jesus is reminding us that we must work well and humbly in all we do through life, and not pass judgment on the efforts of others. Does not God decide how we are each rewarded for our efforts?

On reflection, Jesus’ story gives us hope rather than cause for concern. One day we just might be the Johnny-come-lately ourselves. Surely then we would welcome not a percentage, but the fullness of God’s love and forgiveness

Daily Prayer Online – Reflection on the daily Gospel

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

If red the Sun begins his race, expect the rain will flow apace

33 DAYS UNTIL FALL !

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your

Heart Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today and may you have the EYES to SEE it!

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA

 MY HOMEPAGE

I believe we should live ‘ON THE BRIGHT SIDE’ www.bigmarainey.com

MY JOURNALS http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/GoodMorningSunshine/

 http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below: http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/ONTHEBRIGHTSIDE/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6 http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

 

FOR TUESDAY, August 19th, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 19TH, 2008

TODAY'S THOUGHT

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.

Ralph Vaull Starr

TODAY’S ACTION

Look at all of your options before making life-changing decisions

TODAY’S QUOTE

Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.

Benjamin Franklin

HAPPY TUESDAY !!

We had another beautiful summer day to enjoy on Monday. After work this evening I’ll be going to my dulcimer get together. We usually meet once a month until January, February and March when the weather is unpredictable and cold. Then we take a break. I for one do not like to go out on cold snowy dark nights.

For now though, the weather is so nice and I try to get outside every evening even though it is mostly in my own backyard. That is until the weekend then it’s mostly outside except for sleeping. My camper is small, but that’s ok as little time is spent in it.

I try to make the most of what remains of summer because before we know it ‘cabin fever’ time will be here again.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S PRAYERS

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU !

25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me, and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name

TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God, and in God’s time all things will be made well.

TODAY IS…SPICEY FOOD DAY

The spices in the hot foods we eat are oily. And, we all know that oil and water don't mix. So, what can you do to cool down a hot mouth? Try one of these... Eat bread - it will absorb the oily spices. Drink milk - it contains "casein" that binds the spices and carries them away

SPICY CRAB NACHOS

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 garlic cloves, pealed and sliced 1/2 small onion, slices

salt and pepper, to taste

1 cup bottled clam juice

1 cup heavy or whipping cream

2 canned chipotle chiles, rinsed

1 cup (4 oz) grated Romano cheese

1 cup (4 oz) grated Monterey Jack cheese

10 oz crab meat

8 oz tortilla chips (3 handfuls)

1/2 bunch cilantro leaves (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. Melt butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and onions with salt and pepper for about 5 minutes. Pour in the clam juice and boil until the liquid is reduced by half (2-3 minutes).

3. Add the cream and cook over high heat until thick enough to coat a spoon. Stir in the chipotle chilies and remove from heat. Put the mixture into a blender and puree. Return to skillet and stir in 1/2 cup of each kind of cheese.

4. Place the skillet over medium heat and stir in the crabmeat. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Stir in the tortilla chips.

5. Transfer to a large casserole dish. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Place in oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese. Garnish with cilantro if desired.

(Chiles are too hot for me, but the rest of the recipe sounds delicious)

TODAY’S TRIVIA

Today is National Aviation Day, always on Orville Wright’s birthday. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, August 19, 1871

Today is Snuffleupagus's birthday. The big hairy thing on Sesame Street. His first name is Aloysius, but most call him Mr. Snuffleupagus. He has a sister named Alice and his grandmother lives in Cincinnati. His friends call him Snuffy. His best friend is Big Bird, but he also has a friend named Rosalyn. Snuffy's favorite foods are cabbage and spaghetti

Today is National Soft Ice Cream Day

Today is Black Cow Day, marking creation of the first "black cow" root beer float on this day in 1893 in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Frank Wisner, owner of Cripple Creek Brewing, was the creator 1856 - Gail Borden of Brooklyn, NY patented his process for condensed milk The familiar flat- topped cans of Borden’s condensed milk are still available, as are Borden’s ice cream, cheese and other products -- all with the seal of approval by Borden’s famous mascot, Elsie, the cow

TODAY’S SMILE

A little Story your may have already heard, but it bears repeating I think…

There was a couple who went to England to shop in a beautiful antique store. This trip was to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially tea-cups.

Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful. As the lady handed it to them and suddenly the tea-cup spoke, "You don't understand" It said, "I have not always been a tea-cup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay.

My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, Don't do that. I don't like it! "Let me alone," but he only smiled, nd gently said; "Not yet!!" "Then. WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. 'Stop it ! I'm getting so dizzy! I'm going to be sick!', I screamed.

But the master only nodded and said, quietly; 'Not yet. 'He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then...... Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. " Help! Get me out of here!" I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, 'Not yet'."

When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! "Ah, this is much better," I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me allover. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Oh, please; Stop it, Stop it!!' I cried.

He only shook his head and said. 'Not yet!'. Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited------- and waited, wondering "What's he going to do to me next?"

 An hour later he handed me a mirror and said 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, "That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!

"Quietly he spoke: "I want you to remember, then," he said, "I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked.

I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held.

Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you. "

The moral of this story is this: God knows what He's doing [for each of us ]. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.

So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this.... Brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest tea cup, sit down and think of this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.

TODAY’S WORD

knell \NEL\, verb:

1. The stroke of a bell tolled at a funeral or at the death of a person; a death signal; a passing bell; hence, figuratively, a warning of, or a sound indicating, the passing away of anything.

intransitive verb:

1. To sound as a knell; especially, to toll at a death or funeral; hence, to sound as a warning or evil omen

From the Old English cnyll, cnell, the sound of bells

TODAY’S REFLECTION

What about me?

Matthew 19: 23-30

Jesus’ disciples gather around him solemnly, observing intently. Jesus’ compassionate and knowing gaze anchors the rich young man in place, taking in his eagerness and determination. His shoulders slump, the burden of opportunity at least as heavy as his coin-filled purse.

Furtive glances pass between the disciples, mirroring their growing confusion and unease. ‘If it takes more than a camel … what about us?’ The disciples’ wonderfully human and vulnerable fears are soothed by Jesus’ reassurance, reassurance that speaks to us today.

For too long, people believed God’s love was to be earned, attached to laws and external demonstrations as much as others were to their wealth. Jesus reminds us that it is God’s undying unconditional love that draws us to him—and love is what will bring us home

Online Prayer – Reflections on the Daily Gospel

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

August's birthstone is the peridot, sometimes called the evening emerald for its light green color

34 DAYS UNTIL FALL !

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today and may you have the EYES to SEE it!

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA

MY HOMEPAGE

I believe we should live ‘ON THE BRIGHT SIDE’ www.bigmarainey.com

MY JOURNALS http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/GoodMorningSunshine/

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below: http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/ONTHEBRIGHTSIDE/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6 http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

 

FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 18th, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 18TH, 2008

TODAY'S THOUGHT

If the sun has gone down, look up at the stars. If the earth is dark, keep your eyes on heaven. With God's presence and God's promises, you may always be cheerful.

Anonymous

TODAY’S ACTION

Believe you can do anything you want to do if you work hard enough to achieve it

TODAY’S QUOTE

The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen.

Sarah Brown

HAPPY MONDAY !!

Monday again ?? Already?? My 3 day weekend just flew by. It always does. Here we are a brand new week ahead. I’m always hopeful as a new day starts. We never know what surprises may be in store for us. Maybe some good, maybe some bad but each day is one to be thankful for.

I spent a lovely relaxing weekend at the camper with DS#1 and his family. I put a few pictures up for you to see in my GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE JOURNAL. The link is always at the end of each newsletter. We missed DD and her hubby, but they should be there next weekend.

I have another short work week ahead. Friday will be another vacation day for me. Then we’ll have Labor Day weekend which will be another 3 day weekend. After that I’ll have a very hard time adjusting back to a 5 day work week.

This Tuesday should be the evening I get together for Dulcimer with my friends. Next month we will start practicing our Christmas songs. It is hard to believe time is flying by so fast.

Our county fair is this week too. I don’t know if I’ll get to go or not but DS#5 and his wife will be there with a booth and he’ll be doing his caricature sketches. So we hope they’ll have a good week.

DS#2 called Sunday evening to say his trip was cancelled for this week. He was very disappointed as he had hoped to be able to spend some time with his children while he was there. He’s hoping they reschedule the conference soon.

That’s the news from home as I know it !

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S PRAYERS

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU !

25 WORDS

 God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me, and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name

TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God, and in God’s time all things will be made well.

TODAY IS…MOOT POINT DAY

During the Middle Ages, people argued with battle axes instead of words. If they could agree to discuss something at a meeting, the meeting was called a "mod". Moot is just an updated version of that old English word. A moot (meeting) point was a question that was open to debate. In the 1800s, people started to use the word to mean “of no significance or relevance.” Today, a moot point, no matter how long you discuss it, is considered something that has no practical value

TODAY’S TRIVIA

Today is National Ice Cream Pie Day

Today is Wizard Day, marking the premier of the film The Wizard of Oz on this date in 1939

Women's Voting Rights Day - In 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote. A young state legislator in Tennessee (the 36th state to ratify the Amendment) cast the deciding vote after being told to do so by his mother.

1587: Virginia Dare became the first child of English parents to be born on American soil, on what is now Roanoke Island, North Carolina

1894: Congress established the Bureau of Immigration

1916: Abraham Lincoln's birthplace in Kentucky was given to the U.S. government as a national shrine to the 16th president

TODAY’S SMILE

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In the faint light of the attic, an old man, tall and stooped, bent his great frame and made his way to a stack of boxes that sat near one of the little half-windows. Brushing aside a wisp of cobwebs, he tilted the top box toward the light and began to carefully lift out one old photograph album after another and his old journal.

Opening the yellowed pages, he glanced over a short reading, and his lips curved in an unconscious smile. His eyes brightened as he read the words that spoke clear and sweet to his soul as he read the inscription for Aug 18th. It stood out because it was so brief in comparison to other days. In his own neat handwriting were these words: ‘Wasted the whole day fishing with Jimmy. Didn't catch a thing.’

With a deep sigh and a shaking hand, he took up Jimmy's journal and found the boy's entry for the same day. Large scrawling letters, pressed deeply into the paper, read: ‘Went fishing with my dad. Best day of my life.’

http://www.todayismygifttoyou.ie/

TODAY’S WORD

philter \FIL-tur\, noun:

1. A potion or charm supposed to cause the person taking it to fall in love.

2. A potion or charm believed to have magic power.

transitive verb: 1. To enchant or bewitch with or as if with a magic potion or charm.

Philter is derived from Greek philtron, from philein, "to love," from philos, dear, loving

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Do you wish to be perfect?

Matthew 16: 19-22

In this story, Jesus tells a man to give up his enormous wealth so he can fulfill his ideal relationship with God. The man was asked to go beyond the general principles of the commandments and take up a personal challenge.

The story inspires us to consider what might prevent us from our spiritual pursuits, and similarly adjust what may not be so valuable. For one man it was his wealth; he had to learn about giving and giving up.

 Perhaps it would benefit us as well to take up an individual challenge and ask God to help us let go of our attachments. Whether these attachments are material or emotional, it might create new space in our minds for clearer perceptions and a healthier spiritual life

Online Prayer – Reflection on the Daily Gospel

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

Harvest herb leaves and stems just before the plant flowers and just after the dew dries

35 DAYS UNTIL FALL !

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today and may you have the EYES to SEE it!

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA

MY HOMEPAGE

I believe we should live ‘ON THE BRIGHT SIDE’ www.bigmarainey.com

 MY JOURNALS http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/GoodMorningSunshine/

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below: http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/ONTHEBRIGHTSIDE/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6 http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

 

FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 14TH, 2008

TODAY'S THOUGHT

The beginning is the most important part of any work.

Plato

TODAY’S ACTION

Be the first, not the next

TODAY’S QUOTE

When confronted with a Goliath-sized problem, which way do you respond: "He's too big to hit" or like David, "He's to big to miss"?

HAPPY THURSDAY !!

And before I forget… HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DDIL#3.

May the dear Lord bless you always.

Her birthday will be over the weekend and I won’t be sending out my newsletter due to being at the campsite, so I figured I‘d be better saying it early than late.

This is it, the last day of this work week. Right after work I’m headed home to get the beagle and then I’ll be at the campground til Sunday evening.

I do hope you all have a great weekend and make sure to get some R & R yourselves.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S PRAYERS

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me, and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name

TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God, and in God’s time all things will be made well.

TODAY IS…HEALTHY FEET DAY

Your foot contains 26 small bones, over 150 ligaments and a big network of muscles, nerves and blood vessels. The average person walks about 4 miles every day - or about 115,000 miles in a lifetime. If you're wearing high heels, you are putting enough force on your heel to dig a hole 4 miles deep every month. Everybody says when their feet hurt, they hurt all over. No wonder!

 LINK TO FOOT CARE DIRECT http://www.footcaredirect.com/

 TODAY’S TRIVIA

Those of you who are American citizens can thank or blame Franklin D. Roosevelt for being identified by a number. It was on this day in 1935 that President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. Your Social Security number is the only number that identifies you and only you

International Gourmet Day - Celebrated on the birthday of Julia Child. On this day we celebrate all gourmets and gourmet chefs. Julia was born in 1912 in Pasidina, California

Wiffle Ball Birthday - In 1953, David Mullany, Sr. invented the ball for his 13-year-old son

1848 - The U.S. Congress created the Oregon Territory, made up of today’s Oregon, Washington, Idaho and parts of Montana and Wyoming

1873 - The first issue of Field and Stream magazine was published

TODAY’S SMILE

36 Ways to Reduce Stress

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No, to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you to do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.,

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut.) This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough exercise.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write thoughts and inspirations down.

22. Everyday, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until its time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus!"

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but yourself not at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

TODAY’S WORD

chichi \SHEE-shee\, adjective:

Affectedly trendy

From the French word that literally means "curl of false hair"; used figuratively in the phrases faire des chichis, "to have affected manners, to make a fuss"; and gens à chichis, "affected, snobbish people." Sometimes spelled chi-chi

TODAY’S REFLECTION

He cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.

 Exodus 15:25

The children of Israel had not gone far from the shore of the Red Sea when the realities of their new freedom began to register. They no longer enjoyed the ample food and water supply of Egypt. Now, after traveling 3 days into the wilderness, the large crowd had no water. And when they finally arrived at the oasis of Marah, the water was bitter (Ex. 15:23).

Thus the children of Israel were compelled to rely on a miracle. So they cried out to Moses, and Moses cried out to the Lord. The Lord showed him a tree, which Moses cast into the water. Miraculously, the water turned sweet. The transformation of the water was a miracle akin to the plague of blood sent to Pharaoh and the Egyptians (Ex. 7:14-25).

Egypt’s clean water had been sullied with blood by the hand of the Lord. The lesson of Marah was clear—the same hand that turned water into blood could turn bitter water into sweet. The same power that brought curses on Egypt could bring health to Israel.

If you have a seemingly impossible need today, remember that the hand that supplied your greatest need—forgiveness of sin—is the same hand that can adequately supply all your needs. Trust Him to accomplish things that seem impossible http://www.rbc.org

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

 He that lieth down with dogs shall rise up with fleas

39 DAYS UNTIL FALL !

AUGUST 16TH – THE FULL STURGEON MOON Full Sturgeon Moon Some Native American tribes knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full Moon. Others called it the Green Corn Moon or the Grain Moon

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today and may you have the EYES to SEE it!

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA

MY HOMEPAGE

I believe we should live ‘ON THE BRIGHT SIDE’ www.bigmarainey.com

MY JOURNALS http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/GoodMorningSunshine/

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below: http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/ONTHEBRIGHTSIDE/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6 http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

 

FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13th, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 13TH, 2008

TODAY'S THOUGHT

He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery.

Anne Frank

TODAY’S ACTION

Remember that all glory comes from daring to begin

TODAY’S QUOTE

There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.

Robert Louis Stevenson

HAPPY WEDNESDAY !!

OVER THE HUMP DAY

And HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO DS#6 and HIS WIFE TODAY! May the dear Lord bless you both today and always !

We had another beautiful day on Tuesday. I think we may get some rain today. I hope so as we do still need it. Our grass is brown in spots.

I’ve been listening to the summer chorus when I sit out in the evening. Peepers, crickets, cicada and who knows what else. I love the sound ! It is a noise that belongs to the month of August for sure. I’d know what month it is just by the sound.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S PRAYERS

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU !

25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me, and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name

TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God, and in God’s time all things will be made well.

TODAY IS…TRAIL MIX DAY

Who invented Trail Mix? The Boy Scouts? The Girl Scouts? I'd say it was a creative mom with a hungry hiker! No matter where it started, it's a hit today with everyone from campers to travelers. The best part is that you can easily modify the recipe for a sugar free snack!

1 cup dry cereal (cheerios, chex, or any type)

1 cup M&M's

1 cup peanuts

1 cup raisins

Other Options

dried fruit yogurt

covered nuts

sunflower seed

pretzels

Put all ingredients in a large ziploc bag.

Shake to mix

TODAY’S TRIVIA

Bambi's Birthday - This animated movie premiered at Radio City Music Hall on this day in 1934

International Lefthander's Day - Acknowledges the special need, frustrations and creativeness of lefthanders

1682: The first Welsh immigrants to the American colonies arrived in Pennsylvania. They were Quakers, and settled near modern Philadelphia

1784 - The Continental Congress met for the final time in Annapolis, Maryland. It moved a few more times, from Philadelphia, PA to New York City and, finally, to its permanent seat of government in Washington, DC

1846: The American flag was raised for the first time in Los Angeles

1934 - Cartoonist Al Capp began his famous comic strip, Li’l Abner. In those early days, the cartoon strip was carried in eight newspapers. Eventually, it would be in more than 500, and would be the basis for a Broadway play and a Hollywood movie, too.

TODAY’S SMILE

A young doctor went to look at a practice that was up for sale in a very remote part of the country. It looked perfect - with a nice comfortable house, fully equipped lab, and lovely gardens. The old doctor was asking a very affordable price. "This looks great," said the young doctor. "I just can't figure out how you're able to have such a nice place with so few people to practice on.

"It's just simple common sense and a strong work ethic," replied the older medico. "For example, most folks around here take a couple weeks off for a vacation every year. My wife and I, however, spend the summertime at home, gardening and putting things in order.

Our herb garden gives us a huge harvest, so we mix the herbs and boil them up for my secret tonic."

"But that still doesn't explain this beautiful house and all the land you have," said the younger man.

The elder doc replied, "That's where the extra effort in the garden pays off. I run into my patients at church, at the store, wherever, right after they get back from their vacations. I tell them they don't look too good, and they usually say that their vacation took a lot out of them."

He continued, "I'll agree with them, then invite them to stop around to my office for someof my good old fashioned tonic, and at ten bucks a bottle, it can add up really fast! Of course, that's just the beginning.

A few weeks after a patient buys my tonic, I comment on how much better they're looking, so that they feel like the tonic is doing some good."

"Then, in a few weeks I have them stop by the office for a complete physical exam, just to make sure they're in good health. I also tell them to bring in a urine specimen - and that's how I get my bottles back!"

Author Unknown

TODAY’S WORD

enervate \EN-ur-vayt\, transitive verb:

1. To deprive of vigor, force, or strength; to render feeble; to weaken.

2. To reduce the moral or mental vigor of.

Enervate is from the past participle of Latin enervare, "to remove the sinews from, to weaken," from e-, ex-, "out of, from" + nervus, "sinew

TODAY’S REFLECTION

All of us make many mistakes.

James 3:2

EVEN though Simon the Pharisee neglected to offer Jesus the customary courtesies of hospitality - foot washing, a kiss, anointing - he is appalled that Jesus would allow this sinful woman to touch him.

Jesus then tells a parable about two people whose debts were forgiven by a compassionate moneylender. One had been given a large sum and the other a much smaller amount. Jesus asks Simon which of the two would love the moneylender the most.

When Simon identifies the one who has been forgiven the most, Jesus draws parallels between the parable and the woman who has anointed his feet. A marginalized and judged woman responded to the generous love and grace of God in a way that a religious leader was unable to do.

God's way is unbound by legalism. Rather, God's way is the way of grace, forgiveness, generosity, justice, compassion, and inclusion - a message embodied in Jesus.

Like Simon, we all know what it is like to make mistakes and to think ourselves always right. But God's love and forgiveness challenge our self-righteousness. If we truly receive the freedom God's grace gives us, we will be slow to judge and quick to forgive. http://www.upperroom.org

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

Fresh mint helps to repel mice

40 DAYS UNTIL FALL !

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today and may you have the EYES to SEE it!

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA

MY HOMEPAGE

I believe we should live ‘ON THE BRIGHT SIDE’ www.bigmarainey.com

MY JOURNALS http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/GoodMorningSunshine/

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below: http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/ONTHEBRIGHTSIDE/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6 http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 12th, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 12TH, 2008

TODAY'S THOUGHT

Where there is great love there are always miracles.

Willa Cather

TODAY’S ACTION

Waste no tears over yesterday's grief

TODAY’S QUOTE

If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.

Robert Marlowe

HAPPY TUESDAY !!

In my trivia today there is a bit about Jack Nicklaus which reminded me that on the radio Monday morning they said they were at a Jack Nicklaus Scholarship golf event at the country club. My boys will remember this event as they caddied for many years there. This is supposed to be the 18th year for it.

It turned out to be a heavenly sunny day Monday with temps in the mid 70’s. Just perfect. Today should be another great one. There is not much on my calendar for after work this week. I’ll be home getting everything done so that I can leave for the campsite Thursday after work. I love short work weeks and next week I’ll have another. I’m using those vacation days while the weather is still nice. I do have a few more that I’ll use in the coming months, but these two Fridays are the only ones that are back to back.

It won’t be long and Labor Day will be here. We usually have pretty good weather through September and some good days in October and after that the camping season will be finished for this year anyway. Time is flying by.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S PRAYERS

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU !

25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me, and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name

TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God, and in God’s time all things will be made well.

TODAY IS…TRUCK DRIVERS DAY

Today is a time to give a nice thought to all of those people who travel the road. Truckers move our mail, our groceries and about everything else - including, sometimes, us! They keep the economy going, but they also spend a lot of time far away from home. Today let's say, "We Love Truckers!"

TODAY’S TRIVI

A Middle Child’s Day

Thank You Day

Aloha Day is here ! It's time for some fun 'n music in the Hawaiian style

1851 - Isaac Singer of New York City patented the double-treadle sewing machine on this day. Although a sewing machine had already been patented, Singer’s sewing machine was revolutionary, having a double treadle.

1865 - Joseph Lister became the first doctor to use disinfectant during surgery

1964 - For the 10th time in his major-league baseball career, Mickey Mantle hit home runs from both the left and ride sides of the plate in the same game -- setting a new baseball record.

1973 - Golfer Jack Nicklaus won his 14th major golf title, breaking a record held for nearly 50 years by Bobby Jones. Nicklaus won the PGA Championship for the third time

TODAY’S SMILE

Caddie Comebacks

Golfer: "Do you think my game is improving?"

Caddy: "Yes sir! You're much closer to actually hitting the ball, now."

Golfer: "Do you think I can reach the green with a five-iron?" Caddy: "Eventually."

Golfer: "Please stop checking your watch all the time! It's such a distraction."

Caddy: "It's not my watch, sir. It's a compass."

Golfer: "How do you like my game?"

Caddy: "It's very nice, sir, but personally I prefer golf."

Golfer: "This is the worst course I've ever played on."

Caddy: "Oh, we left the actual golf course about an hour ago, sir."

Golfer: "That can't be my ball. It's too old."

Caddy: "Well, sir, it's been a long time since we teed off."

TODAY’S WORD

provenance \PROV-uh-nuhn(t)s\, noun:

Origin; source. Provenance comes from French, from provenant, present participle of provenir, "to originate," ultimately from Latin provenire, from pro-, "forth" + venire, to come

TODAY’S REFLECTION

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say toyou, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

Matthew 18:1-5

Lord, today you tell me I must change and become like a little child to enter the kingdom. What are the characteristics of children which so attract you? Is it their need, vulnerability, dependence, simple trust? Do these qualities somehow enable them to be open to the kingdom?

Lord, you alone know the depths of my need. I fear to let anyone else know how weak I am. Yet I long to feel I can trust myself ultimately to someone who will not destroy but uphold me. In the image of the little child you challenge me to ‘glory in my weakness’ (2 Cor 12:9).

Lord, you cannot resist the humble. They call forth your mercy. Enable me to know today, with St Paul, that ‘when I am weak, then I am strong’ (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Online Prayer-Reflection on the Daily Gospel

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

To get rid of warts, rub them with coffee grounds, put the grounds in a bag, and bury it

41 DAYS UNTIL FALL !

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today and may you have the EYES to SEE it!

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA

MY HOMEPAGE

 I believe we should live ‘ON THE BRIGHT SIDE’ www.bigmarainey.com

 MY JOURNALS http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/GoodMorningSunshine/

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below: http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/ONTHEBRIGHTSIDE/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6 http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html