Spiritual Thoughts

As long as there is life, there is hope.  Johanan (Talmud) Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11

All things are difficult before they are easy. - Ralph Waldo Emerson In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith …… may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Beginning is easy – Continuing is hard. - Japanese Proverb Therefore, my dear friends, …… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13

THANKSGIVING As bread is the staff of life, the simple sustenance of the body, so appreciation is the food of the soul. Priscilla Wayne In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

He who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking terms with happiness. Author unknown Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15

Nature has given us two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue-to the end that we should hear and see more than we speak. Socrates (BC 469-399) Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…. James 1:19

People blame their environment. There is only one person to blame -- and only one -- themselves. Robert Collier (1885-1950) The soul who sins is the one who will die. … But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. Ezekiel 18:20-21

Cease to struggle and you cease to live. - Chinese Proverb Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of pleasures, costs nothing, and conveys much. - Erastus Wiman But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17

Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow – - perhaps it all will. -Albert Einstein "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well." -Ecclesiastes 11:6

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. Jim Rohn And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:25, 27

How we think shows through in how we act. Attitudes are mirrors of the mind. David J. Schwartz You were taught ….to put off your old self, …. to be made new in the attitude of your minds. Ephesians 4:22-23

Life is an onion. You peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you cry. - Carl Sandburg We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint us… Romans 5:2-5

Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons. - Ruth Ann Schabacker Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. James 1:17-18

PURPOSE "A life without purpose is a languid, drifting thing; every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves: This day let me make a sound beginning, for what we have hitherto done is naught!" - Thomas A. Kempis Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

"Do not give any time to your past, you can't change what happened 5 minutes ago." - Jan Ruhe Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Without the Way there is no going; without the Truth there is no knowing; without the Life there is no living. Thomas a Kempis Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

I had rather do and not promise than promise and not do. - Arthur Warwick DWYSYWD (Do what you say you will do) Matthew 21:28-31 "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

Everything can change in a blink of an eye, But don't worry - God never blinks! Unknown My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:2,4

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we would grab ours back! Unknown The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:17, 19

Make your resolutions so clear and firm that nothing can lure you from your chosen path. Grenville Kleiser You have tried my heart; You have visited me by night; You have tested me and You find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. Psalm 17:3