Spiritual Thoughts

  Friday Tale ~ A Strong Kindness  O ne day in the middle of autumn, a strong wind blew through the forest. Clouds covered the sky, and the leaves danced in a wild whirlwind. In the midst of this storm, a crow flying over the fields collided with the branch of an old tree. With a muffled croak, it fell to the ground—one of its wings hanging limply. The crow tried to rise to spread its feathers, but a sharp pain shot through its body. It realized it couldn't do it alone. So it raised its gaze to the sky, where the birds were circling, and cawed hopefully:  “Help... I can't fly...” A magpie was flying by—it saw the crow and just snorted: “You were always proud; you flew high and laughed at us. Now ask for help yourself.” Behind her flew a blackbird, a goldfinch, and even a jay—all looking away, casting brief glances filled either with contempt or indifference. The crow lowered its head. Alone, hungry, and wounded, it began to lose faith and hope. But then, from some nearby bush...

  T hings turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. ~ Art Linkletter But  you, be strong, and do not lose courage, for there is a reward for your work. ~ 2 Chronicles 15:7

Friday Tale ~ The Optimist Creed   P romise yourself:   ·     To be strong in God so that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. ·     To talk health, happiness, and faith to every person you meet. ·     To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them. ·     To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. ·     To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to do only the best. ·     To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. ·     To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. ·     To wear a cheerful expression at al...

T here are no guarantees. From the view point of fear, none are strong enough. From the view point of love, none are necessary. ~ Pat Todegast   I f we truly love others and live as Christ did in this world, we won't be worried about the day of judgment. A real love for others will chase those worries away. ~ 1 John 4:17-18 (CEV)

  Y ou gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt   F inally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the false accuser. ~ Ephesians 6:13

W ithout hard work, nothing grows but weeds. ~ Gordon Hinckley   B ut you, be strong and   do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work. ~ 2 Chronicles 15:7

Friday Tale - Leadership without Words   F rom 1949 to 1958 Pee Wee Reese was captain of baseball's Dodgers. Named not for his size, but for playing marbles as a kid with a pee-wee shooter. He was a great shortstop, a daring base runner, and a superb clutch hitter.     He was an eight-time All Star and sparked the Dodgers to seven National League pennants. He fielded the final ground ball in Brooklyn's first World Series championship in 1955. He never earned more than $35,000 playing the game he loved.     During his total of sixteen years on the field for the Dodgers, Reese was respected as a person as well as a ballplayer. His fellow Dodgers called him simply "The Captain" and deferred to his judgment on many matters.     He wasn't good at speeches. His leadership came from inner confidence, integrity, and consistency. His manner had the unpretentious effect of causing people to trust and follow him.  ...

  I f I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. BUT when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it, even if I did not have the ability in the beginning. ~ Mahatma Gandhi   F inally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. ~ Ephesians 6:10

A n arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward.  So when life is dragging you back with difficulties,  it means that it's going to launch you into something great. ~ Author Unknown A nd he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak then am I strong.  ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

W hatever you do, you need courage. To map out a course of action and follow it to the end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson F inally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. ~Ephesians 6:10

Stand for something,    or you will fall for anything.  -Unknown Be watchful, stand firm in the faith.    Act like men, be strong.      Let all that you do be done in love. -1 Corinthians 16:13-14