Spiritual Thoughts

  P ure gold does not fear the furnace. ~ Chinese Proverb I n this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while,  if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials so that the proof of your faith,  being more precious than gold  which is perishable, even though tested by fire , may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Peter 1:6-7

  W hen you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege  it is to be alive - to breathe,  to think, to enjoy, to love.  ~ Marcus Aurelius L et everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! ~ Psalm 150:6

  I t is okay if you fall apart sometimes. Tacos fall apart and we still love them.  ~ Unknown   W hy are you cast down, o my inner self? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, my help and my God. ~ Psalm 42:11

T hank you, God for this good life and forgive us if we do   not love it enough.  ~ Garrison Keillor   B oth riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God,   we thank You,  and praise Your glorious Name. ~ 1 Chronicles 29:12-13

Friday Tale - HOPING   BUT I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. ~ Psalm 71:14   Psalm 71 is a prayer for deliverance offered by an unnamed poet who has repeatedly experienced God’s help throughout his long life. Now he needs the Lord to protect and save him once again.   In verse 14 this psalmist writes, “But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.” The verb translated here as “to hope” has a basic sense of “to wait.” It implies an extended time of looking to God and God alone for deliverance. The second line of verse 14 literally translates, “I will add on to all of your praise.” The NLT’s “I will praise you more and more” captures the sense of the original.   Notice closely the relationship between hope and praise in this verse. The psalmist does not say, “I will praise you more and more after you answer my prayers, when my hope is fulfilled,” though this would surely be true.  Rather, his g...

  Friday Tale - One Minute   D uring his college years, Mr. Rogers (a motivational speaker) spent a summer in an Idaho logging camp. When the superintendent had to leave for a few days, he put Rogers in charge.      “What if the men refuse to follow my orders?” Rogers asked. He thought of Tony, an immigrant worker who grumbled and growled all day, giving the other men a hard time.      “Fire them,” the superintendent said. Then, as if reading Rogers’ mind, he added, “I suppose you think you are going to fire Tony if you get the chance. I’d feel badly about that. I have been logging for 40 years. Tony is the most reliable worker I’ve ever had. I know he is a grouch and that he hates everybody and everything. But he comes in first and leaves last. There has not been an accident for eight years on the hill where he works.”        Rogers took over the next day. He went to Tony and spoke to...

  L earn to pray, NOT because you need something, BUT because you ought to thank HIM for everything. ~ Stephen Mansfield   I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises,  my LORD and my God. ~ Psalm 30:12

F ew people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good to the praise that deceives them. ~ Francois de la Rochefoucauld L isten to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.  ~ Proverbs 19:20

M ay you live every day of your life. ~ Jonathan Swift E very day I will bless You and praise Your name forever and ever. ~ Psalm 145:2

H appy moments praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God. ~ Unknown  I n God, whose word I praise, In God I put my trust. I will not fear what mortal man can do to me.  ~ Psalm 56:4

Friday Tale: What Do I Have? W hat do I have, Lord that you would need me as a servant? Eyes, he said,  to see the beauty in all that I’ve made —  and my children as they travel life’s highway. Hands, he said,  to reach out and touch hurting souls, to give a hug or encouraging pat on the back. Feet, he said,  to lead my children through this world of strife  and to help them run from sin and follow me. Mouth, he said,  to lift up your voice and sing praises to me  so others may hear the joy in your heart. Ears, he said,  to listen to my still, small voice of love and to hear my children when they cry for help. Heart, he said, so you may know the fullness of my love and love my children as I have loved you. ~ Thomas Butler P raise the Lord! for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and a song of praise is fitting! ~ Psalm 147:1

P raise is sunshine; it warms, it inspires, it promotes growth; B lame and rebuke are rain and hail; they beat down and bedraggle, even though they both at times are necessary. ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe T he afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! ~ Psalm 22:26