Spiritual Thoughts

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. Mignon McLaughlin Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all… Ephesians 5:33; 1 Thessalonians 3:12

"If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it." -- Anthony J. D'Angelo Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD; let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven. Lamentations 3:39-41

The Lord of the Storm The noise of the storm did not wake Him, nor the rain in that gale tossed boat, but desperate voices of His frightened disciples who feared they could not stay afloat. The sea water was filling their vessel far faster than they could remove it, yet Jesus was the Lord of the Storm that night, and at their cries He was ready to prove it. "Peace" He commanded, and "Be still" then to their amazement, before their very eyes the little boat stopped its reeling, the raging storm abated, no rain, no wind .... clear skies! How often we too may panic when life seems to spin out of control, yet if we stop and ask Jesus to guide us, and wait to see how things unfold we learn, He still hears His disciples pleading voices, will calm our hearts and minds, and bring us to better choices. Showing us that things may work out, when with finite vision we are convinced of the fact that something could not possibly be, Lord of the Storms of Life work...

Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it forgoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury. - E. H. Chapin Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22

"A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change." Earl Nightingale You were taught….to put off your old self….. to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

A thing is not necessarily true because badly uttered, nor false because spoken magnificently. Augustine Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

It is difficult to give away kindness. It keeps coming back to you. Cort Flint Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

The past cannot be regained, although we can learn from it; the future is not yet ours even though we must plan for it. Time is now. We have only today. Charles Hummell Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Proverbs 27:1; Isaiah 55:6

Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world. Same world. Wayne Dyer In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you. Matthew 7:12

What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly. Richard Bach Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

Friendship renders prosperity more brilliant, while it lightens adversity by sharing it and making its burden common. Marcus Tullius Cicero A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

"People do not usually reject the Bible because it contradicts itself but because it contradicts them." - Anonymous For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

No revenge is more honorable than the one not taken. -- Spanish Proverb Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18

If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears. - Glenn Clark Therefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby: 1 Peter 2:1-2

A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities; an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. Reginald B. Mansell That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

THANKS TO GOD Hello God, I called tonight To talk a little while I need a friend who'll listen To my anxiety and trial. You see, I can't quite make it Through a day just on my own... I need your love to guide me, So I'll never feel alone. I want to ask you please to keep My family safe and sound. Come and fill their lives with confidence For whatever fate they're bound. Give me faith, dear God, to face Each hour throughout the day, And not to worry over things I can't change in any way. I thank you God for being home And listening to my call, For giving me such good advice When I stumble and fall. Your number, God, is the only one That answers every time. I never get a busy signal, Never had to pay a dime. So thank you, God, for listening To my troubles and my sorrow. Good night, God, I love You too, And I'll call again tomorrow! Unknown Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice. Psalm 55:17

Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space. Johnny Cash "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18

Oh the bliss, the utter bliss To be in silence such as this. How very precious to be alone ... in mind to kneel before God's Throne. To be still and know that He is Lord, to meditate upon His Word, and leave all burdens in His hands, knowing that He understands the pain-confusion of the heart. All this in prayer, I may impart to the Loving Father, and then confess my doubts, any fears or selfishness, then thus forgiven, I will raise sweet words of Gratitude and Praise. Content I'll walk through this new day my eyes on Christ who leads the way He takes my hand, He's ever near His words of guidance ever clear for Perfected Love casts out all fear when following One Who is so dear. Sue Smith Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me when I was in distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1 Maritta Terrell Thoughts are also posted at: http://thoughtsaday.blogspot.com/

"It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference." - Tom Brokaw Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Courtesy is simply doing unto others what you would like them to do unto you. -- Anonymous Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: (KJV) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (NIV) "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (NASB) Matthew 7:12

Pray for a good harvest, but keep on plowing. -Nancy Otto The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king…… Nehemiah 1:4-5

"Stop telling God how big your storm is ~ Instead tell your storm how BIG your GOD is!" Unknown Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:28-29