Spiritual Thoughts

"The way to happiness: keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Fill your life with love. Scatter sunshine. Forget self, think of others. Do as you would be done by. Try this for a week and you will be surprised." - Norman Vincent Peale Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 1 Peter 3:13-15

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." -Martin Luther When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:24-26

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." -Frank Herbert Dune You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day;Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you.You will only look on with your eyes And see the recompense of the wicked.For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place. Psalm 91:5-9

When you blame others you give up your power to change. - Author Unknown Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

If I have learned one thing in this life, it is that God will not tie my shoes without me. -Doug Boyd Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

Turn failure into fertilizer, and use it to grow! - Denis Waitley My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him. - Epictetus (55-135 AD) Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. Proverbs 25:28

If you want happiness for an hour - take a nap. If you want happiness for a day - go fishing. If you want happiness for a year - inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime - help someone else. -Chinese Proverb Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

YESTERDAY - TODAY - TOMORROW There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days, which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed - we cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone. The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow with its possible adversaries, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow’s sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds - but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn. This leaves only one day - today . Any man can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities - Yesterday and Tomorro...

Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.- Carol Burnett "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

“We do not get to choose how we are going to die or when. We can only decide how we are going to live." - Joan Baez I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12-13

Control your destiny or somebody else will. - Jack Welch I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him. Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Lots of people limit their possibilities by giving up easily. Never tell yourself this is too much for me. It's no use. I can't go on. If you do you're licked, and by your own thinking too. Keep believing and keep on keeping on. - Norman Vincent Peale Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12

Be the change you want to see in the world. - Ghandi Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger. Job 17:9

Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can. -John Wesley Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14 But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28

Surround yourself with people most like the person you want to become. Stay away from anyone who can and will bring you down. Tom Hopkins Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." 1 Corinthians 15:33

YOU CAN DO IT In all of life's journeys In which you run, Never lose sight Of the Father and Son. With them as your guide To light your way, Life can hold no fear In night nor day. May God guard and keep you In His loving care. May Jesus support you And let out a cheer ... "You can do it, I know you can! Trust in me And hold my hand." I know it too. They have a plan. All things work for good If we, with Jesus, stand. - Jenny Bastien In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? Psalm 56:4

Hold fast to the Bible as the anchor of your liberty; write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. -Ulysses S. Grant I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame, for I delight in your commands because I love them. Psalm 119:45-47

We may make the plans, but it is God who has the last sign. -Bulletin Board Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:13-15

I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them FEEL. Maya Angelou As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

A healthy attitude is contagious, but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier. -Author unknown An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Proverbs 12:25

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it. Edith Wharton Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:15-16

Truth does not change because it is not believed by a majority of the people. . . . G. Bruno Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalms 86:11