Spiritual Thoughts

Y ou must do the things you think you cannot do.  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt   W here there is a will, there is a way. ~ old English proverb   T herefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Peter 1:13

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.  ~ G. K. Chesteron   T he one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way right, I will show the salvation of God! ~ Psalm 50:23

  Friday Tale - Someone's Got your Back.   A uthor Jack Canfield said, “Human beings are not designed to go through life alone. No one has to bear the burden of tough times all by themselves.”       A television nature program captured an image of this idea well. It was an episode about a baby bear.       The cub was one of two babies born to a mother black bear, but his sibling died in childbirth. Not too long afterward, Mama Bear also died. The little cub was left alone to fend in the world.       But he was fortunate. He soon came across a huge male black bear who took a liking to the little guy. By the end of the day the adoption papers were signed and the little cub had a new friend and father.     Papa Bear showed the cub how to forage for berries. He taught him which plants he could eat and which to leave alone. He showed him how to fish. Papa Bear taught the cub all the things a bear needs to know to get along in the world.       The two were inseparable...until

T he point is not to pay back kindness, BUT to pass it on. ~ Julia Alvarez   D o not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck; Write them on the tablet of your heart. ~ Proverbs 3:3

 O ur background and circumstances  may have influenced who we are, BUT we are responsible for  who we become. ~ Barbara Geraci   S o teach us to number our days, so that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. ~ Psalm 90:12

I t is not how long you live, BUT how you live that matters most. ~ Jill Whitman   W hatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. ~ Colossians 3:23-24

P ositive thinking is not about expecting the best to happen every time, BUT accepting that whatever happens is the best for this moment. ~ Unknown   B lessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. ~ James 1:12  

  Friday Tale - A Gentle Whisper   "A still small voice" (AV, RSV), "a gentle breeze" (LXX). 1 Kings 19:12   T he judgments of God (strong wind, earthquake, fire) are actually manifestations of His mercy. They are the prelude, and preparation, for the still small voice calling the nation to repent.   Elijah is being shown that the LORD God -- or Yahweh -- is, of course, the God of the strong wind, the earthquake, fire -- all these were presumed by the pagans to be manifestations of the great "god" Baal, but this was utterly false!   But not only was Yahweh the true and only God of these great and frightening aspects of nature, in contrast to Baal. He was, ESPECIALLY, the God who revealed Himself through the quiet, still, small, and gentle voice speaking to the individual conscience.   An old preacher spoke something in reply to a question from a young man, something so hushed it could not be discerned. The young man stepped across the room. "

H ealing does not mean going back to the way things were before, BUT rather allowing what is now to move us closer to God. ~ Ram Dass   T rust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. ~ Proverbs 3:5, 8

S olutions are not found by pointing fingers, they are reached by extending hands. ~ Aysha Taryam   BUT whoever has worldly goods and sees his brother or sister in need, and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God remain in him? Little children, let us not love with word or tongue, BUT in deed and truth. ~ 1 John 3:17-18

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Being willing is not enough, we must do.  ~ Leonardo da Vinci T herefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)