Spiritual Thoughts

G rudges are a waste of perfect happiness. Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can't change. ~ Author Unknown   A joyful heart is good medicine. ~ Proverbs 17:22

H e who avoids complaint invites happiness. ~ Abu Bakr   Y ou too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain against each other, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. ~ James 5:8-9

Friday Tale - Wish for You   T his is my wish for you:   Comfort on difficult days, Smiles when sadness intrudes, Rainbows to follow the clouds, Laughter to kiss your lips, Sunsets to warm your heart, Hugs when spirits sag, Beauty for your eyes to see, Friendships to brighten your being, Faith so that you can believe, Confidence for when you doubt, Courage to know yourself, Patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life. ~ Anonymous   B e of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD. ~ Psalm 31:24

C ount your blessings. Once you realize how valuable life is and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you, with grace, strength, courage and confidence. ~ Og Mandino   B e strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. ~ Deuteronomy 31:6

I t takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~ e.e. cummings   W ait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD. ~ Psalm 27:14

C ourage is contagious. Every time we choose courage, we make every one around us a little better and the world a little braver. ~ Brene Brown   A nd that most of the brothers, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. ~ Philippians 1:14

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, BUT the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, BUT he who conquers that fear. ~ Nelson Mandela   BUT you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work. Now when Asa heard these words,... he took courage and removed the abominable idols from all the land.... He then restored the altar of the LORD.... ~ 2 Chronicles 15:7

Friday Tale - Thoughts for Tough Times D ifficult times often inspire people to become more extraordinary. Challenge and adversity can push people toward their own greatness. It can launch you on a deeper personal journey toward happiness, fulfillment, and a life of meaning. As you explore ways to gather strength and improve self-esteem, remember, it is not so much about what you have but who you are. May these tips inspire you. May you go from strength to strength and be a source of strength to others. Broke Is Not Broken Being broke is not the same as being broken, losing money is not the same as being lost, and finding your balance is not something you can do on a balance sheet. Having Less Doesn't Mean You Are Less Don't confuse having less with being less, having more with being more, or what you have with who you are. Savor Life and Slow Down When you're in a hurry, go slowly. The faster you go in life the sooner it is a blur. Prayer Creat

T he minute a person ceases to grow - no matter what their years - that minute they begin to grow old . ~ Bruce Barton A nd let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. ~ Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

G rowth itself contains the germ of happiness . ~ Pearl S. Buck L ike newborn-infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. ~ 1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV) 

T imes of stress are also times that are signals for growth, and if we use adversity properly, we can grow through adversity . ~ Abraham Twerski C hrist gives the body [believers] its strength, and he uses its joints and muscles to hold it together, as it grows by the power of God. ~ Colossians 2:19 (CEV)

O ne of the great secrets of life is contained in two simple words: Keep Growing . ~ Dr. Mardy But speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ. ~ 2 Peter 3:18

Friday Tale - Nine Aspects of Life T he adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome . The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give. ~ William Arthur Ward But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. ~ 2 Peter 3:18

E very tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith . ~ Henry Ward Beecher   But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. ~ Romans 8:37

H e who overcomes others is strong, BUT he who overcomes himself is mightier still . ~ Lao Tzu     H e who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. ~ Proverbs 16:32

R eal difficulties can be overcome. It is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable . ~ Theodore N. Vail   D o not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good. ~ Romans 12:21

T here never has been, and cannot be, a good life without self-control. Apart from self-control, no good life is imaginable . ~ Leo Tolstoy     E veryone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, BUT we an imperishable crown. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:25

Friday Tale - The Weeds in Our Lives I sn't it amazing how you never have to water your weeds or nurture them and they still give you an unwanted crop? I can remember as a young boy growing up in Santa Cruz, California my grandfather showed me how to dig up this pesky weed called Bermuda grass. It was terrible stuff and it would really spread if you didn't get it out by the roots. That was then. But more recently when my wife and I bought our first home about 8 years ago; guess what I had to deal with? If you said weeds, you are correct. There was this certain patch of weeds that was similar to the Bermuda grass. In other words, just as invasive. After getting the inside of our home settled, it was time to work on the outside. On my hands and knees I vigorously attacked the weeds with a small hand trowel getting each one out by the roots. Spring after, spring that was my ritual. Just this Spring I realized that one particular weed was no longer prevalent but ano

B iblical Faith: It is not a leap into the dark; rather it is a step into the light. ~ Unknown T hough you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, BUT believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the out- come of your faith the salvation of your life. ~ 1 Peter 1:8-9

I t is not the mountain we conquer, BUT ourselves. ~ Edmund Hillary B ut in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. ~ Romans 8:37

I f you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. ~ Dale Carnegie F or whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. ~ 1 John 5:4 

G reat difficulties may be surmounted by patience and perseverance. ~ Abigail Adams N ow Jesus was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not lose heart. ~ Luke 18:1