Spiritual Thoughts

  T hank you, God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough. ~ Garrison Keillor   Y ours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious Name. ~ 1 Chronicles 29:11, 13

  H e is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, BUT rejoices for those which he has. ~ Epictetus   N ot that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ~ Philippians 4:11

  B e content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. ~ Lao Tzu W hatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. ~ Colossians 3:17

  Friday Tale - Grass to Mow H abitat for Humanity builds homes for people who are needy. One of the volunteers for Habitat tells the following story of a family who had just moved into their new home. “The family is so excited. I can see why. Compared to the house they used to live in, this must seem like a mansion. Anyhow, the husband wanted to know if it would be alright if he mowed the lawn. There was only a little patch of grass … and it really didn’t need cutting. Rather than say no, he was advised not to cut it too short because the hot dry weather might kill what little they had. When asked why he was so eager to mow the grass, he said, ‘This is the first time I ever had any grass to mow.’ Isn’t if funny that some of us complain about yard work while others are excited about having grass to mow. Some of us complain about unloading the dishwasher while others are grateful for indoor plumbing. Some of us complain about the heat while others are thankful for some shade. So

    Thought for the Day 11/24/2022 A s we join hands in fellowship around this bountiful table, we give thanks for the blessings of this food and the love of these friends and family as a symbol of our gratitude for all the blessings of this life. ~ Jonathan L. Huie 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    

  H e who can give thanks for little will always find he has enough. ~ Anonymous   I n everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

  B e grateful for all of life: each of us has been infinitely blessed - beginning with the gift of life. Whatever may appear to be missing or broken on any particular day, our glass is not half-full, it is 99.9% full. ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie   A lways giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God our Father. ~ Ephesians 5:20

  B e thankful every chance you get. Not because life has been easy, perfect, or exactly as you had anticipated, BUT because you choose to be happy and grateful for all the good things you do have, and all the problems you know you don't have. ~ Max Lucado   L et the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful . ~ Colossians 3:15

  Friday Tale - Lift Up Your Eyes   C ornelius Vanderbilt in his day was one of the richest men on earth. One day, walking through the woods, he got lost. He was worried over a lot of problems in his life-- problems in his business, problems in his family life, and problems in his heart.        Not paying any attention to where he was going, he got lost. Totally disoriented, he didn’t know what to do. Finally, in desperation he just sat down, leaned back against a tree, closed his eyes and went to sleep.        He woke up a little while later as he felt someone’s foot kicking his. Opening his eyes, he looked up. Before him was a big bear of a man with a big black beard looking down at him. The man said, “Who are you and where are you going?”       Later, remembering that moment, Cornelius Vanderbilt said, “As soon as I figured out he wasn’t a bear those two questions were like ice water in my mind, clearing my thoughts in a most amazing way. They had not been so cleared for wee

  F aith is not the believe that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right. ~ Max Lucado   N ow faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ~ Hebrews 11:1

  N obody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old by deserting their ideals. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. ~ Douglas MacArthur   B e on the alert, stand firm in the faith,  be courageous, and be strong. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)

  F aith is: when you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen: there will be something solid for you to stand upon, or, you will be taught to fly. ~ Patrick Overton   F or we life by faith, not by sight. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

  M y interest is in the future  because I am going to spend  the rest of my life there. ~ Charles F. Kettering   T here is surely a future hope for you and your hope will not be cut off. ~ Proverbs 23:18

  Friday Tale - Own Your Scars    T he    young man was still not married, and not so young anymore. He would be set up with one girl after another. But after the first date, girls just didn’t want to see him again. They didn’t tell him why, but the large scar on his cheek was just hard to look at. He knew this. He felt short-changed sometimes. After all, he really was an amazing fellow, with a big heart and sterling character.            So he went to visit the great sage, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky. “Rabbi,” he says tearfully, “I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to be lonely. I want to be a husband, and a father.” And he told him that he is certain that his physical appearance is the problem. That scar…            The Rabbi suggested to him softly, “the next time you meet a girl, bring up your scar in conversation! Tell her about it, how you got it, how it makes you feel.” Own it, speak of it with confidence, and without shame, the Rabbi was telling him. An interesting idea, to

  M ay a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue. And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through. ~ Irish Blessing   T he LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The LORD life up His countenance on you and give you peace. ~ Numbers 6:27-28

  I wish to do something  Great and Wonderful,   BUT I must start by doing the little things like they were Great and Wonderful. ~ Albert Einstein   T o those who by persistence in doing good and seek heavenly glory, honor and immortality, He will give the gift of eternal life. ~ Romans 2:7 (Amplified)

  A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve. ~ Joseph Joubert   T hus has the LORD of hosts  said, "Dispense true justice  and practice kindness  and compassion each  to his brother.  ~ Zechariah 7:9

  I f you can't think of anything nice to say, you are not thinking hard enough. ~ Robby Novak L isten, for I, Wisdom, will speak noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right things. ~ Proverbs 8:6

  Friday Tale - The Bus Driver   I'm off  the bus, walking near the entrance to the city, which is backed up with traffic. A bus is standing still at an intersection. A younger woman is helping an older woman cross the street. The older woman has a walking stick. The younger woman is carrying a package for her.     The bus driver opens his door. "I'm off duty," he says to the two women. "Can I take you somewhere?"    The older woman has a great retort: "Even I, with my stick, can get to where I have to go faster by walking than by going with you in this traffic."    Driver: "But you remind me of my mother, of blessed memory. She passed away last year. The traffic will clear up. If you don't mind, I'll be happy to take you."

  G ratitude is an attitude that hooks us up to our source of supply. And the more grateful you are, the closer you become to your Maker, to the architect of the universe. ~ Bob Proctor   L et the word of Christ richly dwell in you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,   singing with thankfulness    in your hearts to God. ~ Colossians 3:16

  I n a society that has you counting money, pounds, calories, and steps,  be a rebel and  count your blessings instead. ~ Lisa Heckman   G od is able to make every blessing of yours over flow for you, so that every situation you will always have all you  need for any good work. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:8

A ppreciation is the highest form of prayer, for it acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts. ~ Alan Cohen   W e ask you to show your appreciation for those who work among you, sent an example for you in the Lord, and who instruct you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:12