Spiritual Thoughts

  J esus' resurrection is the key stone of God's project, not to snatch people away from earth to heaven,  BUT  to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord's prayer is all about. ~ N. T. Wright P ray, then in this way: "Our Father who is in heaven, holy is Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." ~ Matthew 6:9-10

  O ur God has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring time. ~ Martin Luther T herefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. ~ Romans 6:4

  Friday Tale ~ Not Frozen by Fear On  a summer morning as he was fixing his breakfast, Ray Blankenship looked out his window to see a young girl being swept along in the rain-flooded drainage ditch beside his Ohio home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream, the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath the road and then emptied into the main culvert.   Ray dashed from his home and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the flailing child. Finally, he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. When he surfaced, he was able to grab the girl’s arm.   The two tumbled end over end and then, within about three feet of the yawing culvert, Ray’s free hand felt something protruding from the bank. He clung to it desperately, the tremendous force of the water threatening to sweep him and the child away.    By the time fire department’s rescue team arrived, Blankenship had amazingly pulled the girl to safety. Both were treated for shock. In that heroic mo...

  T here are two ways to reach the top of an oak tree: you climb it, or sit on an acorn and wait. ~ From Bits & Pieces S tay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning.  You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. ~ Luke 12:35, 40 (ESV)

S ympathy sees and says, "I'm sorry." Compassion sees and says,  "I'll help." ~ From Bits & Pieces P ut on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,  compassionate  hearts, kindness, humility meekness and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12 (ESV)

  H abit starts out as a thead. When threads are added, it becomes a rope we cannot break. ~ From Bits & Pieces A nd endurance develops maturity of character. And character of this sort produces the habit of joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. ~ Romans 5:4 (Amplified)

  W e do not need to proselytize either by our speech or by our writing.  We can only do so really with our lives. Let our lives be open books for all to study. ~ Unknown S how yourself in all respects to be a model of good works and in your teaching show integrity and dignity. ~ Titus 2:7-8 (ESV)

Friday Tale - The Splinter   O nce  there was a man who thought to cross America on foot. He bought a map of the USA and carefully plotted out his course. He would take the back roads and walk from morning till night, viewing the beautiful land all around him as he went, stopping at wayside inns and spending the night, rising the next morning to begin his journey again.   On the morning of the beginning of his journey, he walked outside on his porch and viewed the beautiful sunrise. As he headed back into his house, his foot caught on a loose board and a splinter wedged in the ball of his right foot. The man sat down and lifted his foot and yelled at the splinter, “Out! Get out of my foot! Out, I say!”   Rising, he went inside and finished preparing for his journey. Heavy socks and thick walking shoes were to be his protection against the hard earth. T-shirt and shorts would be his main clothing. A  backpack with a change of clothes and trail mix, a ma...

  I t is all right to have butterflies  in your stomach. Just get them to fly in formation. ~ Robert Gilbert A nd now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all  boldness ...... and when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the holy spirit and continued to speak the word of God with  boldness. ~ Acts 4:29, 31

  W hat the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly. ~ Richard Bach T herefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold the new has come. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

  H ow far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world. ~ William Shakespeare N or do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others,  so that  they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:15-16

  I t is difficult to give away kindness. It keeps coming back to you. ~ Cort Flint S o may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done this day. And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. ~ 1 Samuel 24:19 - 20

  Friday Tale - The Right Words L ord,  give me the right words to say To broken hearts that come my way. To those who have been hurt before That I not hurt them any more.   To those whose hearts have hardened up To those who won't hold out their cup That, Lord, You long to overflow With love and mercy. Lord, let me know   That I might have the words to say That I might plant a seed today That glory would be given to You Through all I say and all I do   Lord, give me the right words to say More hearts are breaking every day They're out there crying in the night I long to help them see the light   But, fragile are those souls and weak So this is why Your words I seek And pray Thee give me words to say That I, not one soul, turn away. ~ Susan Tier A  gentle tongue is a tree of life, and the tongue of the wise bring healing. ~ Proverbs 15:4 & 16:24