Spiritual Thoughts

  P ersistent prayer produces powerful perseverance. ~ Anonymous A nd he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lost heart. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving . ~ Luke 18:1; Colossians 4:2 (ESV)

  Friday Tale - When Your Hut is on Fire...   T he  only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.          He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him.          Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.          Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect h imself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.          One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his  little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky.          He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost.          He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger.          He crie...

Friday Tale - A.S.A.P.   E ver wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.   There's work to do, deadlines to meet; You've got no time to spare, But as you hurry and scurry- ASAP-ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER                   In the midst of family chaos,                 "Quality time" is rare.                 Do your best; let God do the rest-                 ASAP-ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.                            It may seem like your worrie...

Y ou are never strong enough that you do not need help. ~ Cesar Chavez   T he LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. ~ Psalm 145:18

  Friday Tale - The Weight of Prayer   L ouise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.           John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store. Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store.           Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer sai...

T he greatest blessing and joy of prayer is not necessarily receiving an answer, BUT rather in being and becoming the type of person God can trust with the answer. ~ Unknown T he LORD protects His people, and they can come to Him in times of trouble. the LORD helps them and saves them from the wicked BECAUSE they run to Him. ~ Psalm 37:39-40

  Friday Tale ~ Knowledge to Live By    Ø   The most destructive habit:  Worry Ø The greatest joy;  Giving Ø  The greatest loss:  Loss of self - respect Ø The most satisfying work:  Helping others. Ø  The ugliest personality trait:  Selfishness Ø Our greatest natural resource:  Our youth Ø  The greatest "shot in the arm:  Encouragement Ø The greatest problem to overcome:  Fear Ø   The most effective sleeping pill:  Peace of mind Ø The most crippling failure disease:  Excuses Ø  The most powerful force in live:  Love Ø The most dangerous outsider:  A gossiper Ø  The world's most incredible computer:  The brain Ø The worst thing to be without:  Hope Ø  The deadliest weapon:  The tongue Ø The two most power-filled words: " I can " Ø  The greatest asset:  Faith Ø The most worthless emotion:  Self - pity Ø   The most bea...

  A t least three times every day take a moment and ask yourself what is really important. Have the wisdom and the courage to build your life around your answer. ~ Lee Jampolsky   A s for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud and He shall hear my voice. ~ Psalm 55:16-17

G race is not just a little prayer you say before receiving a meal. It is a way to live. ~ Jackie Windspear   T herefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this  grace  in which we stand, and we exult in hope of the glory of God. ~ Romans 5:1-2

I f the only prayer you said  in your whole life was, "thank you,"  that would suffice. ~ Meister Eckhart   W hoever offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me, and I will reveal the salvation of God to whomever continues in my way. ~ Psalm 50:23

Friday Tale - Ice Cream Prayer   L ast week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"     Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never!"     Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"     As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.     "Really?" my son asked. "Cross my hea...

  P raying without ceasing is not ritualized, nor are there even words. It is a constant state of awareness of oneness with God. ~ Peace Pilgrim   D evote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. ~ Colossians 4:2 

  Friday Tale - Prayer from the Heart J ohn Bunyan said, "In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” A story told by a 19th-century Jewish rabbi shares the same idea: A disheveled old man entered a synagogue for the first time. Not realizing he was holding the prayer book upside down, he tried to follow the congregation’s singing, but his words were incorrect. Finally, he simply looked toward heaven, repeating one Hebrew word over and over.       After worship, some people complained to the rabbi, “Why didn’t you ask him to leave?”       He replied, “That man said more to God with his one word than some of us will ever say in our whole lives. God hears the words of the heart." ~ Jim Gentil  W hatever prayer is made by any man.... each knowing the affliction of his own heart , and spreading his hands towards this house, then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive a...

O ne single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer. ~ G. E. Lessing I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, or a bull.... ~ Psalm 69:30-31

T he key to mining is digging. The key to praying is praying. ~ Adam Stadtmiller   C ontinue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. ~ Colossians 4:2

P rayer is not asking for what you think you want, BUT asking to be changed to be the person you need to be. ~ Jim Gentil S peaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, who makes the body grow SO THAT it builds itself up in love. ~ Ephesians 4:15-16

Friday Tale.... Inspiring Thoughts for Tough Times D ifficult times often inspire people to become more extraordinary. Challenge and adversity can push people toward their own greatness. It can launch you on a deeper personal journey toward happiness, fulfillment, and a life of meaning. Broke Is Not Broken Being broke is not the same as being broken, losing money is not the same as being lost, and finding your balance is not something you can do on a balance sheet. Having Less Doesn't Mean You Are Less Don't confuse having less with being less, having more with being more, or what you have with who you are. Savor Life and Slow Down When you're in a hurry, go slowly. The faster you go in life the sooner it is a blur. Prayer Creates a New Path Prayer creates a path where there is none and turns your stumbling blocks into building blocks. ~ Noah benShea B lessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood t...

P rayer is not asking for what you think you want,  BUT asking to be changed in ways you can't imagine. ~Kathleen Norris  L et my prayer be counted as incense before.....     Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth,      keep watch over the door of my lips!   ~Psalm 141:2-3