Spiritual Thoughts

God can make all things new, even you. Jesus adds life to your years and years to your life. The perfect "resolution" for the year 2011: To Know God and Jesus Better Unknown [S]o that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:12-13

Just remember--when you think all is lost, the future remains. Robert Goddard  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

"Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones." - Sir Winston Churchill Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us…. Romans 5:3-5

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't. -Henry Ward Beecher May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6

With the milk of human kindness, there should be no such thing as skim. Steve Johnson Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness ,  humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13

"Christ was born on earth below that we might be born from heaven above." Unknown For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

"The Gift of Friendship" You gave me words of kindness tied with a ribbon of gold, hearing them was important to heal my heart and soul. Your gift of words made a difference when I was down and blue, questioning why I bother, doing what I do. Life can be a challenge sometimes it seems unfair, but when I was tired and struggling it helped that you were there. What can I give you in return your friendship is so dear, please know if you ever need me I will always be here. Kind words and time are needed by people everywhere, when wrapped with a smile or a hug they're a gift that says I CARE! - Author Unknown Jesus said, "No longer do I call you slaves….. but I have called you friends…..” John 15:15

When you give away a little piece of your heart, you're giving away the only thing you can give away, which, after you do, you got more left than you had before you gave some of it away. Don Hutson Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love , I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ….Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:1, 4-8

The miracle is this - the more we share, the more we have. - Leonard Nimoy Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. Galatians 6:10

Good character ...is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece— by thought, choice, courage, and determination. John Luther "…..choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served … or the gods …..in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

WOW! Last spring I was walking in a park. A short distance ahead of me was a mom and her three-year-old daughter. The little girl was holding on to a string that was attached to a helium balloon. All of a sudden, a sharp gust of wind took the balloon from the little girl. I braced myself for some screaming and crying. But, no! As the little girl turned to watch her balloon go skyward, she gleefully shouted out, "Wow! I didn't realize it at that moment, but that little girl taught me something. Later that day, I received a phone call from a person with news of an unexpected problem. I felt like responding with "Oh no, what should we do?" But remembering that little girl, I found myself saying, "Wow, that's interesting! How can I help you?" One thing's for sure - life's always going to keep us off balance with its unexpected problems. That's a given. What's not preordained is our response. We can choose to be frustrated or fa...

Find a purpose in life so big it will challenge every capacity to be at your best. David O. McKay For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14

To think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral down into ever increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires effort. This is one of the things that discipline - training - is about. - James Clavell All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:11

No one is as deaf as the man who will not listen. - Jewish Proverb Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days. Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand. Proverbs 19:20-21

Learn to enjoy little things;    there are so many of them. Unknown Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? James 2:5

The Storm Will Pass One day a young lady was driving with her father in the family car and they drove into a very heavy storm, and the young lady asked her father, 'What should I do, stop or keep driving?' He said, 'keep on driving.' As they drove on cars began to pull over to the side of the road as the storm was getting worse. Again the young lady asked, 'Father, what should I do, stop or keep driving?' 'Keep on driving' her father replied. A few kilometers on the young lady noticed that not only more cars were pulling over, but also some big transport trucks were also pulling over to the side of the road. She told her father, 'Now I must pull over, I can barely see ahead. It is terrible and everyone is pulling over!' Her father told her again, 'Don't give up, just keep driving!' Now the storm was at its worst, but she did as her father had advised and kept driving and then the storm started to ease and she could see ...

If your face is ugly, Learn to sing. Old African proverb Build on your strengths To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Matthew 25:15

In a material world we easily forget that life is lived from within, not from without. Susan Taylor And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

God has a history of using the insignificant to accomplish the impossible. Unknown But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things … so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

-In Happy moments, praise God. -In Difficult moments, seek God. -In Quiet moments, worship God. -In Painful moments, trust God. -In Every moment, thank God. Unknown Deliver my life from the sword, ….. I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. You who fear the LORD, praise him! Psalm 22:20-23

There is one rule for being a good talker--learn to listen. Christopher Morley Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

There is one thing alone that stands the brunt of life throughout its course: a quiet conscience. Euripedes (c. 484-406 B.C.) But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer ….. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16

Everything can be taken from a man but...the last of human freedoms— to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. Viktor E. Frankl You were taught…. 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