Spiritual Thoughts

  Friday Tale - Purified Silver   M alachi 3:3  says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."     This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.     One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.     That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.     As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire

  B egin today. Act on your vision. Do your best. If you take action,  you may succeed or you may fail,  BUT if you do nothing, the ONLY  possible outcome is failure. ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie I  have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. ~ John 13: 15, 17

  S weep before your own door  before you look after your neighbor's. ~ Author Unknown   H ow can you say to your brother,   'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in  your own eye? First take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. ~ Luke 6:42

  A  man begins cutting his wisdom  teeth the first time he bites off  more than he can chew.  ~ Herb Caen   B lessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,  for she is more profitable than silver  and yields better returns than gold .  ~ Proverbs 3:13-14

V ision stands on the shoulders  of what is actual to get a  better view of what is possible.  ~ Mary Anne Radmacher   S o we fix our eyes not on   what is seen, BUT on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary,   BUT what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18

Friday Tale - And Then Some   A  retired  business executive said it, “I discovered at an early age that most of the differences between average people and top people could be explained in these three words - “ and then some .” By the phrase “ and then some ,” he meant people were more thoughtful of others, they were more considerate - “ and then some .” They met their obligations and responsibilities fairly, squarely, on time - “ and then some .”       Of the many quotes made by the late World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, James J, Corbett, during his colorful career, one was preeminent. When asked by a reporter what was most important for a man to become a champion, Corbett replied, “Fight one more round.”       This was Jim Corbett’s way of saying, “ and then some .”       You remember that the Lord Jesus asked his followers the test question, “What do you more than others?”       We have our heroes and we find that most of these who have excelled could be identified by the

W ithout hard work, nothing grows but weeds. ~ Gordon Hinckley   B ut you, be strong and   do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work. ~ 2 Chronicles 15:7

  B e nice to each other.  You can make a whole day  a different day for everybody. ~ Richard Dawson   W hat is desirable in a man   is his kindness. ~ Proverbs 19:22

  A lways continue the climb. It is possible for you to do whatever  you choose, if you first get to know  who you are and are willing to work  with a power who is greater than  ourselves to do it. ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox T herefore since we have so great a  cloud of witnesses surrounding us,  let us also lay aside every encumbrance  and the sin which so easily entangles  us, and let us run with endurance   the race that is set before us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus..... ~ Hebrews 12:1

  A lmost everything will work again if  you unplug it for a few minutes.... even you. ~ Anne Lamott   R est in the LORD and  wait patiently for Him. ~ Psalm 37:7

  Friday Tale - The Brick   A  y oung and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.      As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.       The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, 'What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?'   The young boy was apologetic.     'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the brick because no one else would stop...' With tears dripping down his face

  I t doesn't matter what you look like. You can be tall, short, fat, thin, ugly or  handsome, or you can be black, yellow  or white, it does not matter.  What does matter is the size of your  heart and strength of your character. ~ Herman Numster   P ut off your old self... to be renewed in   your minds, and to put on the new self,  created after the likeness of God in  true righteousness and holiness. ~ Ephesians 4:22-24

  L ife has no remote. Get up and change it yourself! ~ Mark A. Cooper   Y ou therefore beloved, grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ~ 2 Peter 3:18

  A lways forgive your enemies... nothing annoys them so much. ~ Oscar Wilde   Y ou have heard it was said, "You shall  love your neighbor and hate your enemy."   BUT I say to you, love your enemies and  pray for those who persecute you, so that you  may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:43-45

  I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. ~ Stephen Covey   A nd let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. ~ James 1:4

  F riday Tale - Seeds   A successful  business-man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.     Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together and he told them: "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you."     The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued, "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today -- one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."     One man, Jim, and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and, excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Every day, he woul

  T he only way you can serve God is by serving other people. ~ Rick Warren   L ove your neighbor   as yourself. ~ Leviticus 19:18

  H ave the humility to remind  yourself you don't have all the  answers. That will keep you  always open to endless and  continuing discovery. ~ Ralph Marston   G ood and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. ~ Psalm 25:8-9

  B eing deeply loved by someone    gives you strength;  loving someone deeply    gives you courage. ~ Lao Tzu   B y this we know that we love the   children of God, when we love God   and observe His commandments. ~ 1 John 5:2

  P ride is concerned with  who is right. Humility is concerned with  what is right. ~ Ezra Taft Benson   T he fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility. ~ Proverbs 15:33

  Friday Tale - The Right Vessel   T he  Master was searching for a vessel to use; On the shelf there were many - which one would He choose?   Take me, cried the gold one, I'm shiny and bright, I'm of great value and I do things just right. My beauty and luster will outshine the rest And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!   The Master passed on with no word at all; He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall; I'll serve You, dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine And I'll be at Your table whenever You dine, My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true, And my silver will always compliment You.   Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass, It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass. Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do, Place me on Your table for all men to view.   The Master came next to a vessel of wood, Polished and carved, it solidly stood. You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said, But I'd rather Yo

  H umility is not thinking less  of yourself, BUT  it's thinking of yourself less. ~ Rick Warren   C lothe yourselves with  compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12