Spiritual Thoughts

  Friday Tale - Running in the Rain A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Wal-Mart. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked. "Let 's run through the rain!" She repeated. "No...

  P erseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another . ~ Walter Elliott T herefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus.    ~ Hebrews 12:1

  Y ou cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one. ~ James A. Froude S o I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. BUT I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

  Friday Tale ~ The Long Race "Quit! Give up! You're beaten!" They shout at me and plead. "There's just too much against you now. This time you can't succeed!"   And as I start to hang my head In front of failure's face, My downward fall is broken by The memory of a race.   And hope refills my weakened will As I recall that scene; For just the thought of that short race Rejuvenates my being.   A children's race -- young boys, young men How I remember well. Excitement, sure! But also fear; It wasn't hard to tell.   They all lined up so full of hope; Each thought to win that race. Or tie for first, or if not that, At least take second place.   And fathers watched from off the side, Each cheering for his son. And each boy hoped to show his dad That he would be the one.   The whistle blew and off they went! Young hearts and hopes afire. To win and be the hero there Was each young boy's desire.   And one boy in particular Whose dad was in the ...

A moment of clarity without any action is just a thought that passes in the wind. BUT a moment of clarity followed by an action is a pivotal moment in our life. ~ Don Miguel Ruiz, Jr.   T ake hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded,  and if you run, you will not stumble. ~ Proverbs 4:13, 12

  I f you can't fly, then run; if you can't run, then walk; if you can't walk, then crawl, BUT whatever you do you have to keep moving forward. ~ Martin Luther King Jr. W e continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all His wisdom and understanding so that you will walk in a manner worth of the Lord, to please Him in all respects. ~ Colossians 1:9-10

T he reward is not so great without the struggle..... The triumph cannot be had without the struggle. ~ Wilma Rudolph   E veryone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. Therefore I run in such a way, not without aim, BUT I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that,  after I have preached,   I myself will not be disqualified. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

  Friday Tale ~ The Race   W henever I start to hang my head in front of failure's face, my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race. A children's race, young boys, young men; how I remember well, excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn't hard to tell.   They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place. Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son, and each boy hoped to show his folks that he would be the one.   The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire, to win, to be the hero there, was each young boy's desire. One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd, was running in the lead and thought "My dad will be so proud."     But as he speeded down the field and crossed a shallow dip, the little boy who thought he'd win, lost his step and slipped. Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace, and midst the laughter...