Spiritual Thoughts

  Friday Tale - I'm a Pumpkin A  lady had recently been baptized. One of her co-workers asked her what it was like to be a follower of Christ. She was caught off guard and didn't know how to answer, but when she looked around she saw a jack-o'-lantern on the desk and answered: It's like being a pumpkin. The worker asked her to explain that one.   "Well, God picks you from the patch and brings you in and washes off all the dirt on the outside that you got from being around all the other pumpkins.   Then He cuts off the top and takes all the yucky stuff out from inside.   He removes all those seeds of doubt, hate, greed, pride, etc.   Then He carves on you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all to see."   I'll never look at a pumpkin the same way again. ~ unknown T herefore if any one be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

  T he smallest deed is better han the greatest intention. ~ John Burroughs W hat is desirable in a man is his kindness. ~ Proverbs 19:22

  A dvice from a pumpkin: B e well rounded. Get plenty of sunshine. Give thanks for life's bounty. Have a thick skin. Keep growing. Be outstanding in your field. Think BIG! ~ Ilan Shamir L et me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity. ~ Job 31:6

  D on't let negative and toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out. ~ Robert Tew F inally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ~ Philippians 4:8

  I t isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about. ~ Dale Carnegie F or as he thinks within himself, so he is. ~ Proverbs 23:7

  I n  ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day, the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?" “Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test." "Triple filter?" "That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student, let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?" "No," the man said, "actually, I just heard about it and I . . . " "All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student s...

  A  clear conscience  sleeps during thunder. ~ Jamaican Proverbs I  have a hope in God.... in view of this, I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before men. ~ Acts 24:15-16 [Paul]

  A  wise man, when asked how he had learned so much about everything, replied, "By never being ashamed or  afraid to ask questions about    anything of which I was ignorant."  ~ John Abbott BUT  when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. ~ Proverbs 21:11

  S top stewing and  start doing! ~ Denis Waitley P reserve justice and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come and My righteousness to be revealed. How blessed is the one who does this. ~ Isaiah 56:1-2

Thought for the Day 10/20/2025 The present was an egg laid by the past that had the future inside its shell. ~ Zora Neale Hurston And look forward to and await the coming of His Son from heaven, whom God raised from the dead - Jesus, who rescues and delivers us out of and from the wrath which is coming and draws us to Himself. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:10

Friday Tale ~ Every Day Survival Kit Here are 9 items that make up an excellent everyday survival kit for you! 1.     Toothpick 2.     Rubber Band 3.     Band Aid 4.     Pencil 5.     Eraser 6.     Chewing Gum 7.     Mint 8.     Candy Kiss 9.     Tea Bag Here's Why: 1.     Toothpick - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others. 2.     Rubber Band -- to remind you to be flexible, things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out. 3.     Band Aid - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's. 4.     Pencil - To remind you to list your blessings everyday. 5.     Eraser - to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay. 6.     Chewing Gum -- to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything. 7.  ...

  H ope is like the sun, which,  as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us. ~ Samuel Smiles N ow the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that  you will abound in hope. ~ Romans 15:13

  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 A  faithful man will abound with blessings.... If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. ~ Proverbs 28:20; 1 Timothy 6:8

   I t's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen. ~ John Wooden B etther is a little with the respect of the LORD  than great treasure and turmoil with it. ~ Proverbs 15:;16

  T he more you praise and  celebrate your life, the more there is  in life to celebrate. ~ Oprah Winfrey O  satisfy us in the morning with Your loving mercy,  so that  we may celebrate for joy and be glad all our days. ~ Psalm 90:14

  Friday Tale ~ "Root Bound" L ike potted plants, people can become "root-bound."   We have a beautiful "Christmas Cactus" which I gave to my wife as a gift many years ago. It has accompanied us through tough years and good times. It has lived with us in four different communities and has been present during the raising of our family. But it almost died.   As the small plant grew, we transferred it to a larger pot. It did well for about twenty years, but then began to die. It seemed that no amount of feeding, coddling or attention helped. We finally plucked a few leaves, re-rooted them and started over. We could barely remove the now-dead plant from its pot for all the knotted and intertwined roots. The beautiful succulent was dying because it outgrew its environment. The plant changed, but the container it lived in stayed the same.   People, too, can die when they outgrow their environments. They need broader views, bigger challenges. Songwriter Bob Dylan...