Spiritual Thoughts

  J esus' resurrection is the key stone of God's project, not to snatch people away from earth to heaven,  BUT  to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord's prayer is all about. ~ N. T. Wright P ray, then in this way: "Our Father who is in heaven, holy is Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." ~ Matthew 6:9-10

  O ur God has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring time. ~ Martin Luther T herefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. ~ Romans 6:4

  Friday Tale ~ Not Frozen by Fear On  a summer morning as he was fixing his breakfast, Ray Blankenship looked out his window to see a young girl being swept along in the rain-flooded drainage ditch beside his Ohio home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream, the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath the road and then emptied into the main culvert.   Ray dashed from his home and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the flailing child. Finally, he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. When he surfaced, he was able to grab the girl’s arm.   The two tumbled end over end and then, within about three feet of the yawing culvert, Ray’s free hand felt something protruding from the bank. He clung to it desperately, the tremendous force of the water threatening to sweep him and the child away.    By the time fire department’s rescue team arrived, Blankenship had amazingly pulled the girl to safety. Both were treated for shock. In that heroic mo...

  T here are two ways to reach the top of an oak tree: you climb it, or sit on an acorn and wait. ~ From Bits & Pieces S tay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning.  You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. ~ Luke 12:35, 40 (ESV)

S ympathy sees and says, "I'm sorry." Compassion sees and says,  "I'll help." ~ From Bits & Pieces P ut on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,  compassionate  hearts, kindness, humility meekness and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12 (ESV)

  H abit starts out as a thead. When threads are added, it becomes a rope we cannot break. ~ From Bits & Pieces A nd endurance develops maturity of character. And character of this sort produces the habit of joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. ~ Romans 5:4 (Amplified)