Spiritual Thoughts

  Friday Tale - Spell Checker M y  s pelling is sometimes atrocious. I used to be an excellent speller. What happened? Spell checker. As I type on the computer now, if I misspell a word, the spell-checking feature automatically puts a red line under the misspelled word. I simply right-click on the word and several options appear for the correct spelling. It's a great feature, but it has made me a bad speller. I no longer need to think or remember how to properly spell words. The spell checker does that for me. I understand why life can't have a spell checker. It makes us weak and dependent on the machine instead of the mind. The easier life gets, often the weaker we get. Just look at what cars, elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, power windows, automatic doors, dishwashers, washing machines, television, video games and yes, computers have done for the majority of our bodies. We are rounder and softer than ever and as a result, often quit...

  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 o strengthen the muscles of your heart,      the best exercise is lifting someone         else's spirit whenever you can. Dodinsky Strengthen the weak hands,     and make firm the feeble knees.      Say to those who have an anxious heart,         "Be strong: fear not! Behold, your God              will come.... and save you." Isaiah 35:3-4

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." - Mahatma Gandhi Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

The block of granite which was an      obstacle in the pathway of the weak, became a stepping-stone       in the pathway of the strong. ~Thomas Carlyle Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious;        but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected         has become the chief cornerstone…" 1 Peter 2:7-8

D on't put a question mark where God put a period. Unknown Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of an adversary to torment me - to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has 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. 2 Corinthians 12:7