Spiritual Thoughts

O ur hope is not in the new year, BUT in the One who makes all things new. ~ Unknown   B e strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD. ~ Psalm 31:24

  N o man is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. ~Charles Dickens   L et your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16

  I said to a man who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light that I  may tread safely into the unknown."   He replied, "Go out into the darkness and put your had into the hand of  God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than the known way, for  He is the light and the way." ~ Minnie Louise Haskins   T each me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your Truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. ~ Psalm 86:11

  F ear is the glue that keeps you stuck. Faith is the solvent that sets you free. ~ Shannon L. Alder   BUT when Jesus heard this, he answered him, "Do not be afraid any longer; only believe and she will be made well." ~ Luke 8:50

  Friday Tale - Blessings   R eflect on your present blessings - of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. ~ Charles Dickens (Scrooge)   M ay you all have a beautiful holiday - wherever you are, whoever you are, however you spend it, and whatever emotions arise within you on this day. Blessings to each and every one! ~ Elizabeth Gilbert   I t is your God who helps you, the Almighty God who blesses you with blessings of rain from above and deep waters from beneath the ground, and blessings many cattle and children. ~ Genesis 49:25

  T here are those who give with joy and that joy is their reward. ~ Kahlil Gibran   N ow we can give thanks to our God for you. We thank Him for the joy we have in His presence because of you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 3:9 (CEV

  R emember - the greatest gift is                 LOVE. ~ Anonymous   F or God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish, BUT have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

  S ometimes the best Christmas present is remembering what you've already got. ~ Cathy Guisewite   I shall give thanks to YOU, for You have answered me and You have become my salvation. ~ Psalm 118:21

  Y ou cannot prevent the birds of sorrow  from flying over your head, BUT you can prevent them from building nests in your hair. ~ Chinese Proverb   A nd the ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. ~ Isaiah 35:10

  Friday Tale - May You ....   M ay your life always be Counterpoint to the Clamor of the World.   May you delight in Dancing Lightly With Life.   May you soar on eagle wings, high above the madness of the world.   May you always sing Melody in the Symphony of Your Life.   May you taste, smell, and touch your dreams of a beautiful tomorrow.   May your sun always shine, and your sky be forever blue. ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie   BUT they that wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31

  T he world clamors, "Do more! Be all you can be!" BUT our Father whispers, "Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)." ~ Joanna Weaver   Let them know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are the most High over all the earth. ~ Psalm 83:18

  H ealth does not always come from medicine. Sometimes it comes from peace of mind, peace in the heart, peace in the soul. It comes from laughter and love. ~ Author Unknown   Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. ~ John 14:27

  Peace is the beauty of life. It is sunshine. It is the smile of a child, the love of a mother, the joy of a father, the togetherness of family. It is the triumph of truth. ~ Manachem Begin   N ow may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you will abound in hope. ~ Romans 15:13

  T hat which you hate to be done to you, do not to another. ~ Ancient Egyptian Proverb   S o whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them, for this is the law and the prophets. ~ Matthew 7:12

Friday Tale - The North Wind and the Sun   T he North Wind and the Sun had a quarrel about which of them was the stronger. While they were disputing with much heat and bluster, a Traveler passed along the road wrapped in a cloak.   "Let us agree," said the Sun, "that he is the stronger who can strip that Traveler of his cloak."   "Very well," growled the North Wind, and at once sent a cold, howling blast against the Traveler.   With the first gust of wind the ends of the cloak whipped about the Traveler's body. But he immediately wrapped it closely around him, and the harder the Wind blew, the tighter he held it to him. The North Wind tore angrily at the cloak, but all his efforts were in vain.   Then the Sun began to shine. At first his beams were gentle, and in the pleasant warmth after the bitter cold of the North Wind, the Traveler unfastened his cloak and let it hang loosely from his shoulders.   The Sun's rays grew warmer and warm...

  I believe that order is better than chaos, creation better than destruction. I prefer gentleness to violence, forgiveness to vendetta. ~ Kenneth Clark   C lothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12

  W hen you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, BUT bend them with gentleness and time. ~ Francis de Sales   A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. ~ Proverbs 15:

D on't forget you are human. It's okay to have a meltdown. Just don't unpack and live there. Cry it out and then refocus on where you are headed. ~ unknown   I n this hope you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while you have been distressed by  various trials...... ~ 1 Peter 1:13

  N othing is so strong as gentleness , nothing so gentle as real strength. ~ Francis de Sales   T herefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness , showing tolerance for one another in love. ~ Ephesians 4:1-2

Friday Tale - Strength and Courage   I t takes strength to be firm It takes courage to be gentle.   It takes strength to stand guard. It takes courage to let down your guard It takes strength to conquer. It takes courage to surrender.   It takes strength to be certain. It takes courage to have doubt.   It takes strength to fit in. It takes courage to stand out.   It takes strength to feel a friend's pain. It takes courage to feel your own pain.   It takes strength to hide your own pains. It takes courage to show them.   It takes strength to endure abuse. It takes courage to stop it.   It takes strength to stand alone. It takes courage to lean on another.   It takes strength to love. It takes courage to be loved.   It takes strength to survive. It takes courage to live. ~ Unknown   B e strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. ~ Joshua 1:9

  I f we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~ Anne Bradstreet   R emember my affliction.... This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD's loving-kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.   They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:19-23

  H e that has never known adversity is but half acquainted with others, or himself. ~ Charles Caleb Colton   T hese things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, BUT take courage ; I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33

  O ver come fear, and Then behold wonder. ~ Richard Bach   B ut immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." ~ Mark 14:27

  C ourage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear. ~ Mark Twain   W ait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD. ~ Psalm 27:11

  Friday Tale - Daily Affirmation I  receive ALL of life with Thanksgiving - I have  gratitude  for everything that has ever occurred to bring me to this moment. I give  thanks  for the joys and the sufferings, the moments of peace and the flashes of anger, the compassion and the indifference, the roar of my courage, and the cold sweat of my fear. I accept  gratefully  the entirety of my past and my present life. ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie B e  grateful  for the good things that the LORD your God has given you and your family. ~ Deuteronomy 26:11

  Thanksgiving is a joyous invitation to shower the world with love and  gratitude . ~ Amy Leigh Mercree I  will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me. So that my soul may sing praise to you and not be silent, O Lord my God, I will give  thanks  to You forever. ~ Psalm 13:6 & 30:12

  T he more we express thanks , the more gratitude we feel. The more gratitude we feel, the more we express thanks . It's circular, and it leads to a happier life. ~ Steve Goodier   W hatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17

  I t is necessary then, to cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your development, you should include all things in your gratitude . ~ Wallace D. Wattles   I n everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

  Today, c onsider an act of kindness for someone who can never repay you. Is there someone who will be alone on Thanksgiving unless you share your table with them?   Sometimes out light goes out BUT is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes thanks to those who have rekindled this light. ~ Albert Schweitzer 'I n that day,' declares the LORD of hosts, 'everyone one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and under his fig tree.' ~ Zechariah 3:10

  Friday Tale - Where He Ain't   H e was just a little boy, on a week's first day. He was wandering home from Sunday School, and dawdling on the way.   He scuffed his shoes into the grass; he found a caterpillar. He found a fluffy milkweed pod, and blew out all the "filler."   A bird's nest in a tree overhead, so wisely placed on high. Was just another wonder that caught his eager eye.   A neighbor watched his zig zag course, and hailed him from the lawn; Asked him where he'd been that day and what was going on.   "I've been to Sunday School," he said and turned a piece of sod. He picked up a wiggly worm replying, "I've learned a lot of God."   "M'm very fine way," the neighbor said, "for a boy to spend his time." "If you'll tell me where God is, I'll give you a brand new dime."   Quick as a flash the answer came! Nor were his accents faint. "I'll give you a dollar, Mi...

  Y ou have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. AND you are the one who'll decide where to go. ~ Dr. Seuss   BUT only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her. ~ Luke 10:42 

  E very where you go is a chance to change the world. One smile, one hug, one act of kindness, can make the world of a difference to someone. ~ Karen Salmansohn   H e has told you what is good; and what does the LORD require of you BUT to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humble with your God? ~ Micah 6:8

  W e learn something from everyone who passes through out lives. Some lessons are painful, some are painless, BUT all are priceless. ~ Unknown   T herefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. ~ Ephesians 5:1, 10

  Y ou can't stop the waves, BUT you can learn to surf. ~ John Kabat Zinn   I t was for my good that I was humbled, so that I would learn your statutes. ~ Psalm 119:71

  Friday Tale - In My Hands   A football in my hands is worth about $20. A football in Peyton Manning’s hands is worth about $15 million. It depends on whose hands it's in.   A basketball in my hands is worth about $25. A basketball in Shaquille O'Neal's hands is worth $30 million. It depends on whose hands it's in.   A rod in my hands may keep away a wild animal. A rod in Moses' hands parted a mighty sea. It depends on whose hands it's in.   A sling shot in my hands is just a kid's toy. A sling shot in David's hand killed a giant. It depends on whose hands it's in.   Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands will feed me. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands fed thousands. It depends on whose hands it's in.   Nails in my hands might build a birdhouse. Nails in Jesus Christ's hands offered salvation for all. It depends on whose hands it's in.   As you can see … it depends on whose hands it's in. So, let us...

  Go for it -- no matter how slow or long the process seems at first. ~ Mardi Ballou   J esus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me. ~ John 14:6

  T he most unknown, unused and unrecognized tool of the human mind, is the recognition that attitude is always a choice . ~ Mark Horton   W ho is the man who fears the LORD with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with submissive wonder? God will teach him through His word in the way he should choose . ~ Psalm 25:12 (Amplified)

  Y ou are the conductor of your own attitude! Nobody else can compose your own thoughts for you. ~ Lee J. Colan   B e careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. ~ Proverbs 4:23 (CEV)

  A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure. ~ Unknown   C ast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. ~ Psalm 55:22

    Friday Tale - Thought Travel   T here are so many places you can go in your mind.  Go somewhere positive and empowering.   You can explore any trail of thoughts you wish to think.  Make those thoughts inspiring, uplifting, encouraging.   You're thinking about one thing or another all the time.  Put those many thoughts to good use.   Your thoughts have much to do with the things you notice, how you feel,  and what you do with each valuable moment.  Choose thoughts that serve you, and your world, best. Whatever you dwell on in your thoughts is what takes center stage in your awareness. With every thought, you have the opportunity to send your life in a more positive, fulfilling direction. Your thoughts have gre...