Spiritual Thoughts

NEW YEAR’S RECIPE Take twelve fine months and trim from them all the old, leftover memories of hatred, jealousy and bitterness. Clean them of any clinging, unnecessary bits of spite. Snap off the specks of unwanted pettiness. Start the first (and each succeeding) month fresh and clean. Cut each month into thirty or thirty-one equal parts of twenty-four hours each. Prepare one day at a time. Do not plan too far in advance. Into each day, put a portion of generous tolerance, a dash of fun, a change of pace, occasionally, a cupful of laughter, an overflowing measure of good humor. Mix well; and garnish with smiles. Decorate with sprigs of beauty and serve with gentleness, unselfishness and love. A HAPPY NEW YEAR is assured. Positive Thinking e-newsletter Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicin

In its purest form, truth is not a polite tap on the shoulder. Truth is a howling reproach. What Moses brought down from Mount Sinai were not 10 suggestions. -Ted Koppel All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. Psalm 25:10

The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build your life by, and this you will become. -- James Lane Allen (1849-1925) Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:3-4

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain .... Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall, But God's always ready, to answer your call ... He knows every heartache, sees every tear, A word from His lips, can calm every fear ... Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light ... The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, To give you His grace, and send you His love .. Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, "God always sends rainbows .... after the rain ... " Unknown 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. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

J esus, Son of God Eternal E verlasting Life now has He, S avior of a world of sinners, U niversal King to be, S ought us, brought us victory. C hrist is due all adoration, H umbly born to save our race, R uler now of all creation; I ntercedes to give us grace, S aves us from sin's condemnation, T ruly worthy of all praise! unknown Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. Jude 21 Your email address will not be shared with anyone.

Do little things as though they were great, because of the majesty of Jesus Christ who does them in us, and who lives in our life; and do the greatest things as though they were little and easy, because of His love. Blaise Pascal Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make Our home with him. John 14:23

HOW MANY LIVES DID YOU TOUCH? by Debbie Preuss How many lives did you touch today? As you went on your busy way Did you touch family or friend? Was there a relationship to mend? Did you smile at the stranger on the street? Or tip the waitress where you eat? Did you touch your co-worker's heart today? Tell me, did you stop to pray? Did you help someone, or meet a need? Was there one hungry, you helped to feed? Did you speak an encouraging word? When people talked, did they feel you heard? Did you remember the driver on the bus Is just another one of us? Family and strangers are all the same Each one of us, has a name. Tell me, did you share God's love? Or take the time to look above? Did you lift someone to God's throne? Did you move out of your comfort zone? Today may be the only touch you had Was it for the good or bad? Reach out to others while you can today The golden rule, please obey. For tomorrow just may be too late To touch others, or change their fate So as you

EIGHT GIFTS THAT DON’T COST A CENT! The Gift of Listening But you must really listen. Don’t interrupt, don’t daydream, don’t plan your response. Just really listen. The Gift of Affection Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends. The Gift of Laughter Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.” The Gift of Solitude There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others. The Gift of a Favor Every day, go out of your way to do something kind. The Gift of a Written Note It can be a simple, “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime. The Gift of a Compliment A simple and sincere, “You look great in red,” “You did a super job,” or “That was a wonderful meal” can make someone’s day

For those of you who celebrate Christmas -- Remember God and Jesus - in everything! Christ’s birth is found in Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2 --A CHRISTMAS ALPHABET A is for Angels, appearing so bright, Telling of Jesus that great blessed night. B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, Birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold. C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, There in the stable where He laid His head. D is for David and his ancient throne Promised forever to Jesus alone. E is for East, where shone the bright star Which Magi on camels followed afar. F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, Brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told. G is for God, who from heaven above Sent down to mankind the Son of His love. H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme Was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream . I is for Immanuel, "God with us," For Christ shows us the way to the Father's house. J is for Joseph so noble and just, Obeying God's word with absolute trust. K is for King. A true kin

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. - Mahatma Gandhi It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2 And they sang a new song, saying: "You …..have redeemed us to God ……. and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth forever.” Revelation 5:9-10

Psalm 127:1-2 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. …. - for he grants sleep to those he loves. This psalm was written by Solomon, David's son, who was noted for his wealth and wisdom. In Solomon's wisdom, he writes this psalm to give us a better perspective on the purpose of our life. In Solomon's time watchmen were kept around the city to guard it against enemy attacks. However, Solomon tells us that it is useless to put guards around the city if God is not watching over it. We spend most of our waking hours "building" and "guarding" our lives. Most of our days are spent working to make ends meet and to make our lives better. It is so easy to get so caught up in this "building" process that we begin to miss the joy of living. Solomon tells us that unless we let God build our "house" then all that we do is done in vain. It does not bene

If life gives you limes, just rearrange the letters and return a Smile. Unknown A joyful heart is good medicine, Proverbs 17:22

Goals: I won't worry about what is, I won't worry about what isn't, I won't worry about what was, and I won't worry about what might be. (That about takes care of it). All because God is in control! Be anxious for nothing , but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

"It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about. " - Dale Carnegie He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psalm 24:4-5

If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23 (NLT) Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

If you do nothing unexpected, nothing unexpected happens. Fay Weldon In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17

Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching. Thomas Jefferson It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:11-12

Sometimes the Road Get Rough Don’t be dismayed when you come to a pothole, a detour, a stretch of rough and rocky road. Don’t be surprised. Slow down a little. Be patient. It’s not the whole journey. It’s not the way it’ll always be. But it is part of your journey, too, part of your journey to your heart and soul. Even when we’re living with joy and freedom, we continue to learn, grow, feel, experience. And the road can still get rough. Happiness doesn’t mean feeling gleeful all the time. Happiness doesn’t mean the road we’re traveling is always smooth. Happiness means feeling all we need to feel. And accepting each part of the journey, even the changes of course and direction. Melody Beattie Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

" Patience is not passive; on the contrary, it is active; it is concentrated strength." -- Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient... 2 Timothy 2:24

Patience is also a form of action. -Auguste Rodin And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow. -Chinese Epigram …..the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not quick to anger, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention than to any other talent. -- Isaac Newton (1642-1727) Be patient , therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain. James 5:8 (RSV)