Spiritual Thoughts

“The Longest journey you’ll ever take is from your head to your heart.” A Sioux proverb. For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

“Keep your ideals high and believe that you can make a difference to the world through your generosity and through your passion for what is right” Unknown "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you,             do also to them, for this is all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

“Men go abroad to wonder at the height of mountains,            the huge waves of the sea, the long course of the rivers,                the vast compass of the ocean, the circular motion of the stars.....           but they pass by themselves and don’t even notice” Augustine I will praise You, for I am fearfully            and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works,          And that I know very well. Psalm 139:14

“Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency, we can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest.” Maya Angelou Whatsoever things are true,              whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,                whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,             whatsoever things are of good report; think on these things” Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8

The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Christ’s Resurrection gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice. ~Henry Knox Sherrill Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade…. 1 Peter 1:3-4

Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness. ~Floyd W. Tomkins Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a poor woman. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a Cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled, while He was dying, for the only piece of property He had—and that was His coat. When He was dead He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Such was His human life but then three days later He rose from the dead. N...

"You make up your mind before you start that sacrifice is part of the package." - Richard M. DeVos Therefore be followers of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2

" God loves you where you are at, but He loves you enough not to leave you there. " - James Maxon For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, That whoever believes in him, shall not perish, But have everlasting life. John 3:16

"What tables would Jesus overturn in our lives?" - John Brunson On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" Mark 11:15-17

“We are what we repeatedly do;    excellence then is not an act,              but a habit” Aristotle Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them. - Brendan Francis [Behan] Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged …… for there is a greater power with us than with him. 2 Chronicles 32:7

Good friendships are fragile things and require as much care as any other fragile and precious thing.  Randolph S. Bourne I no longer call you servants, ….. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. Jesus in John 15:5

“Begin today!       No matter how feeble the light,               let it shine as best it may. The world may need just that quality           of light which you have.” - Unknown You are the light of the world.       A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Trouble shared is troubled halved. – Dorothy Sayers Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:           to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,             to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and            to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him,            and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn… Isaiah 58:6-8

Education is when you read the fine print.        Experience is what you get if you don't. Pete Seeger "Now therefore, listen to me, my children,         for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it.” Proverbs 8:32-33

"The seasons do not push one another;        neither do clouds race the wind across the sky. All things happen in their own good time." -Dan Millman To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: God has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:1,11

It is very easy for parents to hear themselves talking. All they have to do is listen to their children. Unknown I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

Spring-clean your heart and mind Breathe in the new blessings of each new day. Unknown For His compassions never fail.            They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;            therefore I will wait for Him." Lamentations 3:21-24

The thought manifests as the word.      The word manifests as the deed. The deed develops into habit.        And the habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care.               And let it spring from love, born out of concern for all beings.                      Unknown Be on your guard;        stand firm in the faith; be of courage; be strong.          Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

You can never cross the ocean unless you have       the courage to lose sight of the shore. Christopher Columbus "Be strong and of good courage,         do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God,      He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6