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