Spiritual Thoughts

  Friday Tale ~ Carl   C arl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well.   When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically un-assuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up. He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, "Would you like a drink from the hose? The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, "Yeah, sure", with a malevolent little smile.   As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, do

  I f you go as far as you can see, you will then see enough to go even further. ~ John Wooden   F or the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it seems to tarry, wait for it; for it will certainly come; it will NOT delay. ~ Habakkuk 2:39

  I f I could tell the world just one thing it would be we're all okay, and not to worry because worry is wasteful and useless in times like these. I won't be made useless. I won't be idle with despair; I will gather myself around my faith. Light does the darkness most fear . ~ Jewel T rust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. ~ Psalm 37:3

  C ourage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear. ~ Mark Twain   B ut you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work . ~ 2 Chronicles 15:7

  C ourage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day, saying, "I will try again tomorrow." ~ Mary Ann Radmacher 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 over come the world. ~ John 16:33

  Friday Tale - People Perspective   The Wrath of John D. Rockefeller   A senior executive of Standard Oil Company in 1901 made a wrong decision that cost the company more than $2 million. Back then this was a lot of money, even for Standard Oil.     John D. Rockefeller was still running the firm. On the day the news leaked out most of the executives of the company were finding various ingenious ways of avoiding Mr. Rockefeller, lest his wrath descend on their heads as well.     There was one exception, Edward Bedford, a partner in the company. Bedford was scheduled to see Rockefeller that day and he kept the appointment, even though he was prepared to listen to a long harangue against the man who made the error in judgment.     When he entered the office the powerful head of the gigantic Standard Oil empire was bent over his desk busily writing with a pencil on a pad of paper. Bedford stood silently, not wishing to interrupt. After a few minutes Rockefeller looked up.     

  Q uotations help us remember the simple yet profound truths that give life perspective and meaning. ~ Criswell Freeman A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles. ~ Proverbs 1:5-6

  G ardens are not made by singing, "Oh, how beautiful!" and sitting in the shade, but by sowing, digging . ~ Rudyard Kipling   S ow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness, break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD until He comes to rain righteousness on you. ~ Hosea 10:12

  H e who spends time regretting the past, loses the present, and risks the future. ~ Quevedo   N evertheless, with most of them God was not well pleased, for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened to them as an example and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. ~ 1 Corinithians 10:5, 11

  O h yes, the past can hurt. BUT you can either run from it or, learn from it. ~ The Lion King F or whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ~ Romans 15:4

  Friday Tale - I've Learned   I've learned... . That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. * I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day. * I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way. * I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand. * I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult. * I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for. * I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class. * I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular!  * I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved. * I've learne

  S eeds of faith are always within us;  sometimes it takes a crisis to nourish and encourage their growth. ~ Susan L. Taylor   C onsider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith grows endurance. And let endurance have it's perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ~ James 1:2-4

  C riticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth, without destroying his roots. ~ Frank A. Clark   G ive instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. ~ Proverbs 9:9

  C hallenge yourself every day to do better and be better. Remember, growth starts with a decision to move beyond your present circumstances. ~ Robert Tew B e like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation. ~ 1 Peter 2:2-3

L ife is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely . ~ Anonymous   M ay the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people. ~ 1 Thessalonians 3:12

  Friday Tale - Dog-gone Good Advice IF a dog was the teacher, you would learn stuff like:   * When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.   * Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.   * Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.   * When it's in your best interest, practice obedience. * Let others know when they've invaded your territory.   * Take naps. * Stretch before rising. * Run, romp, and play daily. * Thrive on attention and let people touch you.  * Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. * On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.  * On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. * When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body * No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout!  Run right back and make friends.    * Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. * * Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you&#

  L ittle things seem nothing BUT they give peace, like those meadow flowers which individually seem oderless, BUT all together perfume the air. ~ Georges Bernanos L ovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. ~ Psalm 85:10

  G od gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "Thank you"? ~ William Arthur Ward   T herefore, I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations; and I will sing praises to Your name. ~ 2 Samuel 22:50

  F orgiveness is not a whitewashing of the past. Forgiveness is declaring a new beginning to create space for a joyful present and future. ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie   F or He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ~ Colossians 1:13-14

  If the only prayer you said in your whole life was "Thank you," that would suffice. ~ Meister Eckhart   T hrough Jesus then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. ~ Hebrews 13:15

  Friday Tale - Attitude is Everything   J erry was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"                             He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed Him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude . He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"                                 Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you

T oday is your day to laugh at life. Laugh loud - laugh often. Laugh at what's funny. Laugh at me - laugh at you. Laugh. ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie (amended)   A time to weep and a  time to laugh; a time to mourn and  a time to dance. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:4