Quotes

The heavens declare God's glory and the magnificence of what made them! Each day is a miracle; each new sky fills with beauty! Their testimony speaks to the whole world and reaches to the ends of the earth. In them is a path for the sun, who steps forth handsome as a bridegroom and rejoices like an athlete as he runs. He starts at one end of the heavens and circles to the other end, and nothing can hide from his heat.

A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds.

A sunbeam bouncing off a drop of dew, The gleam in a child's eye, The twinkle of a particularly bright star, The tear-stained cheek of a mother praying for her children, And the ripple formed by a droplet of rain in a puddle, All of these combine to form the Glitter in the Eyes of God.
~~ The Glitter in God's Eyes, James W. King

God's love for us is proclaimed with each sunrise.

Better to turn your eyes to Jesus than look down your nose at the weaknesses of others.

When you speak, always remember that God is one of your hearers.

We may wonder, whom can I love and serve? Where is the face of God to whom I can pray? The answer is simple: That naked one. That lonely one. That unwanted one who is my brother and my sister. If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
~~ Mother Teresa

We all long for heaven where God is, but we have it in our power to be in heaven with Him at this very moment. But being happy with Him now means: Loving as He loves, Helping as He helps, Giving as He gives, Serving as He serves, Rescuing as He rescues, Being with Him 24 hours a day, Touching Him in even His distressing disguises.
~~ Mother Teresa

The fruit of silence is prayer, The fruit of prayer is faith, The fruit of faith is love, and The fruit of love is silence.
~~ Mother Teresa

The fingers of God touch your life when you touch a friend.

I concerned myself to remember God, to seek Him, to know Him and to love Him. When I had come to the end I saw that He had remembered me before I had remembered Him, that he had sought me before I had sought Him, that His knowledge of me had preceded my knowledge of Him, and that His love for me had existed before my love for Him.

Can I neglect to pray while there is one who needs the help my prayer can bring?

God is never in a hurry but he is always on time.

God wants performance not promises.

The face of a newborn child is as close as we come to seeing the face of God in this life!

God's ultimate purpose is birth. He is not content until he brings his Son to birth in each and every one of us.

God is so big He can cover the whole world with His love, and so small He can curl up inside your heart.

A friend will strengthen you with his prayers, bless you with his love, and encourage you with his hope.

The Hand Of God

May the new day bring you blessings,
as the light comes filtering through.
May your sunrise be as lovely,
as a morning draped in dew.

May the wind blow forth a promise,
sending sweet bouquets your way.
May life seem a little brighter,
as you rise to greet the day.

May the daybreak render pleasure,
as the birds begin to sing
May the distant roll of thunder,
bring forth a touch of Spring.

May the mist embrace the stillness,
like a fire fly in the night.
May an angel walk beside you,
to hold you in the light.

May the rain caress your body
and life drops flood your soul.
May His Spirit come upon you,
to cleanse and make you whole.

May the showers come so softly,
running gently through your hair.
May you touch the living water
and know that He is there.

May the freshness bring you new life,
pushing through the tender sod.
May you pause to pick a flower
and brush the hand of God.

Anon

Dear God

DEAR GOD:

I want to thank You for what you have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet;
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job;
I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier
or the challenges are removed;
I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

Dare

Dare to be different in all walks of your life.

Dare to stand alone.

Dare to stand up for your convictions even if the crowd around you may move in another way.

Dare to be fools for the sake of Christ.

With the Word of God & power of the spirit, dare to be a Crusader for Christ.

Dare to follow the footsteps of our heavenly Father.

Dare to take up the cross & follow him wherever He leads you.

Dare to be a real Christian with a strong backbone.

Dare to say "no" to momentary pleasures that the world has to offer.

Dare to tell others about your Heavenly Dad.

Dare to stand for holiness, purity, & sanctity as a dove, no matter what it takes.

Anon

God is There...

God, give me Grace to find my way
and help me see the truth...
that all I've ever needed
is to trust and lean on You.

Forgive me when I fail to live
by Faith in You alone...
at times I try to carry
my burdens on my own.

But God, I know I'm nothing,
without Your Guiding Light...
to direct the path before me
every day and every night.

I give you all my burdens
each heavy load I bear...
I can climb the highest mountain,
because Your Love is waiting there.

Think About It

Don't attempt to run from the past, it is always behind you.

Don't be afraid of opposition; Remember a kite rises against, not with the wind.

Don't be afraid of tomorrow, for God has already been there.

Don't be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.

Don't be angry at a friend who told your secret, for neither could you keep it to yourself.

Don't be concerned others not appreciating you. Be concerned about your not appreciating others.

Don't be irreplaceable -- if you can't be replaced, you won't be promoted.

Don't be so Heavenly minded that you do no earthly good.

Don't control, be in control.

Don't count the days, make the days count.

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

Don't ever slam a door- you may want to go back.

Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things.

The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.

Don't get good at doing something if you don't like doing it.

Don't get married only because of the money. You can borrow it cheaper.

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.

Don't just get something out of church, put something into it.

Don't kill the dream - execute it!

Don't learn the tricks of the trade, learn the trade.

Don't let anybody walk through your mind with dirty feet.

Don't let people drive you crazy when it is within walking distance.

Don't let time take control of your destiny.Let your destiny take control of your time.

Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future.

Don't limit your challenges - challenge your limits.

Don't listen to what I say; listen to what I mean.

Don't love the things you own, lest they own you.

Don't measure your life by how many breaths you take, measure it by how many times you get your breath taken away.

Don't pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people

Requests For The New Year

What shall I ask for the coming year?
What shall my watchword be?
What should thou do for m, dear Lord?
What can I do for thee?

Lord, I would ask for a holy year,
Spent in thy perfect will.
Help me to walk in thy very steps;
Help me to please thee still.

Lord, I would ask for a trustful year,
Give me thy faith divine,
Taking my full inheritance,
Making thy fullness mine!

Lord, I would ask for a year of love;
O let me love thee best!
Give me the love that faileth not
Beneath the hardest test.

Lord, I would ask for a year of prayer,
Teach me to walk with thee;
Breathe in my heart the Spirit's prayer;
Pray thou thy prayer in me!

Lord, I would ask for the dying world,
Stretch forth thy mighty hand;
Thy truth proclaim, thy power display
This year in every land.

Lord, I would ask for a year of joy;
Thy peace, thy joy divine,
Springing undimmed through all the days
Be thy days of shade or shine.

New Year's Resolutions

Give up complaining . . . focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism . . . become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments . . . think kind thoughts.

Give up worry . . . trust divine providence.

Give up discouragement . . . be full of hope.

Give up bitterness . . . turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred . . . return good for evil.

Give up negativism . . . be positive.

Give up anger . . . practice patience.

Give up pettiness . . . put on maturity.

Give up gloom. . . enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy . . . pray for trust.

Give up gossiping . . . control your tongue.

Give up sin. . . . turn to virtue.

Christmas Is Not Over.... Its Just The Beginning

These words of Howard Thurman ring true:

"When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day,
in every way,
in all that we do and in all that we say."

Then the work of Christmas begins.

How to work through Life's Hot Spots

Keep on walking. A surefire way to get burned is to stop walking. When you are afraid, or under extreme stress, or hurting -- keep going. You will get through if you keep dealing with the everyday tasks at hand to the best of your ability.

!!! Persevere !!!

Remember that this difficult time will pass. It may feel that you are in a repeating time warp, but realize that pain is time-limited. All problems have a beginning and an end.

!!! Be Patient !!!

Make rough times work for you. Not everything is good, but the Bible reminds us that everything can be used for good if you submit your will to God. Look for ways to learn, grow, or cope in your pain or stress.

!!! Have Courage !!!

Take "what is" and make the most of it. Make lemonade from your lemons. You are not called upon to create perfection from every situation, only to make the most of it. Don't waste your time on ceaseless complaining, but look for meaning and joy in all situations.

!!! Be Content !!!

Clean up your own trash. Stand on your own feet and don't try to blame others for your problems. You are not a victim. Choose to live the rest of your life with a controlled response to what is happening.

!!! Take Responsibility !!!

Be true to you. You will have more strength for dealing with ordeals in life if you have the courage to be true to your own values. Hypocrisy destroys internal energy.
!!! Model Integrity !!!

Be gladder than madder. Expressions of gratitude calm the soul and clear the mind.
!!! Show Gratitude !!!

Have as much fun as you can. Anticipation of fun raises the level of your energy. Learn to laugh through your trials.
!!! Display Humor !!!

Determine what is within your control You cannot control what happens to you, but you can choose the frame you put around your experiences. You can choose how you will deal with all situations.
!!! Exhibit Internal Control !!!

Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm literally means, "God in us." If He is in you, let your life so shine. Learn to love life.

!!! Show Your Passion !!!

10 Rules For A Happy Day

1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK:
   
   If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind... I will not respond in a like manner.
   
   
2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY:"
   
   If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.
   
   
3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:
   
   I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.
   
   
4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:
   
   I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.
   
   
5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:
   
   I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.
   
   
6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL NOT DO IT SECRETLY:
   
   I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.
   
   
7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED:
   
   I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.
   
   
8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED:
   
   My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.
   
   
9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY:
   
   I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will love my body and thank GOD for it.
   
   
10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY:
    
    I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to GOD's voice!!!
    
    

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet."
1 Thessalonians 5:8

Be A Beautiful Reminder

In a world darkened by the
madness of bigotry
and injustice, be a beautiful
reminder of all that
is good and kind. Let the
light of your life rise
with each new sun. Don't hide
in its shadows. Be
warmth for the cold, comfort
for the weary.

As you journey through the
day, leave an
imprint of understanding on
your fellow
travelers. You know the
burden of sorrow and
the weightlessness of joy.
Share in it. Participate
in life on earth. Don't allow
your precious time to
settle in the dust and blow
away.

Be a reminder, a beautiful
reminder,
of all that is good and kind.

Anon

It Only Takes A Spark

It seems that all we see in the news and in our world is bad news, nothing positive. I want to talk about some positive things. There are so many issues affecting us now, violence, indiscipline, greed and a general hardening of the human heart while we run this rat race called life. In a few hours of simply opening my eyes I saw some things that made me realize that tiny fires can burn bright and dispel a lot of darkness.

Sometimes I can let myself get caught up in the bitter stream of things happening around me and can get callous. These are the times when I forget the infinite strength that can be drawn from the look in someone’s eyes when some kindness is shown to them, when someone stops to show that they care, when someone just notices you.

I was blessed to see fathers with their children, carrying them in their arms and interacting with them. In times where so many gadgets and gismos are available for carrying around babies especially, it was heartwarming to see fathers with babes in arms. It was so nice to see children interacting comfortably with their fathers and to see how delighted they were to have their children with them. It was sort of reassuring that there still are some men who not only take responsibility for their offspring but who also take an active part in their lives.

Youth have been given such a bad name that when you see things like this happen you realize that the future is in good hands. I saw this group of young people coming out of the mall and they held the door open for an old lady and a pregnant woman. Another didn’t do anything but considering the lack of manners that has infected so many of them, politeness has to be recognized and commended. I was behind this young guy and girl and they waited in line, were very distinct in saying please and thank you and left the clerk of the bakery with a “have a pleasant evening.” Yup, we do have some pleasant children out there.

An elderly vagrant is sitting on the street corner, hands outstretched. Many people walk by some give a quick glance but most ignore him, he is invisible. A young, stylish couple walks out of an eatery carrying dinner. They pass the vagrant and the young man turns around and gives the box he is carrying, soft drink and all to the vagrant and heads back into the eatery.

For just a couple of hours of really opening my eyes I have seen much. I wonder if any of these tiny flames, these little fires are aware of how much they gave to me, gave to the world when they committed these acts. They brought joy to those who needed it and were responsible human beings. They gave me hope and inspired me.

These things remind us and make us more aware that this beautiful world that our loving God brought us into is indeed a wonderful world. Every little act counts. So open up your eyes and look at the little things that people do and get some hope and inspiration and go out do the same. Open your eyes to the people around you, all it may take is something as simple as a smile to turn someone’s day and life around.

How are you?

Every Day I am asked "How are You?" My response is always, "Fine, thank you " But what I would really like to say is, "Yes ... I am O.K. "

I Have My Sight ... although not perfect, I can still see the glorious sunsets, the antics of a puppy, the smile of a child, and the most important ... I can see if there are any bugs in my food..

I Have My Hearing ... even though impaired I can hear the music that takes the wrinkles out of my day. I can hear others tell me they love me! And every morning I can hear the snap, crackle, pop ... even if it isn't the cereal.

I Have My sense Of Smell ... although marred with allergies I could tell if the house is on fire, or the baby needs changing. Oh and isn't it heavenly to smell that first cup of coffee in the morning ?

I Still Have My Sense Of Taste ... I can tell when something has gone bad or sour, even though I have to wonder about my own cooking sometimes. LOL

I Still Have My sense Of Touch ... even though some people say I am really touched ... The joy of touching another, loving another, petting your cat, makes you feel you are not alone...

I am O.K. you see.
I can walk, even though I may stumble --
I can talk, sometimes without stopping --
I can laugh, even when nothing is funny --
and I can cry, anytime I want to.....
In fact, I think I am better than just Okay!

How about you ?

Praying the Beatitudes

Lord Jesus, you said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Keep us from being preoccupied with money and worldly goods, and with trying to increase them at the expense of justice.

Lord Jesus, you said, "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." Help us not to be ruthless with one another, and to eliminate the discord and violence that exists in the world around us.

Lord Jesus, you said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Let us not be impatient under our own burdens and unconcerned about the burdens of others.

Lord Jesus, you said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be filled." Make us thirst for you, the fountain of all holiness, and actively spread your influence in our private lives and in society.

Lord Jesus, you said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Grant that we may be quick to forgive and slow to condemn.

Lord Jesus, you said, "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God." Free us from our senses and our evil desires, and fix our eyes on you.

Lord Jesus, you said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Aid us to make peace in our families, in our country, and in the world.

Lord Jesus, you said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice, for the kingdom of heaven in theirs." Make us willing to suffer for the sake of right rather than to practice injustice; and do not let us discriminate against our neighbors and oppress and persecute them.

Amen

You Don't Have to be Perfect

The man who has everything is in some ways a poor man. He will never know what it feels like to yearn, to hope, to nourish his soul with the dream of something better. He will never know the experience of having someone who loves him give him something he has always wanted and never had.

There is a wholeness about the person who has to come to terms with his own limitations, who has been brave enough to let go of his unrealistic dreams and not feel like a failure for doing so. There is a wholeness about the man or woman who has learned that he or she is strong enough to go through a tragedy and survive, who can lose someone and still feel like a complete person. You have been through the worst and come through in tact.

Life is not a trap set for us by God so that he can condemn us for failing. Life is not a spelling bee, where no matter how many words you've gotten right, you're disqualified if you make one mistake. Life is more like a baseball season, where even the best team loses one-third of the game and even the worst has its days of brilliance. Our goal is to win more games than we lose.

When we accept that imperfection is part of human being, and that we can continue rolling through life and appreciating it, we will achieve a wholeness that others can only aspire to. And at the end, if we are brave enough to love, strong enough to forgive, generous enough to rejoice in another's happiness, and wise enough to know there is enough love to go around for us all, then we can achieve a fulfillment that no other living creature will ever know.

What Counts When We Pray

It is not the body's posture, but the heart's attitude that counts when we pray.

The Hand of God

May the new day bring you blessings,
as the light comes filtering through.
May your sunrise be as lovely,
as a morning draped in dew.

May the wind blow forth a promise,
sending sweet bouquets your way.
May life seem a little brighter,
as you rise to greet the day.

May the daybreak render pleasure,
as the birds begin to sing
May the distant roll of thunder,
bring forth a touch of Spring.

May the mist embrace the stillness,
like a fire fly in the night.
May an angel walk beside you,
to hold you in the light.

May the rain caress your body
and life drops flood your soul.
May His Spirit come upon you,
to cleanse and make you whole.

May the showers come so softly,
running gently through your hair.
May you touch the living water
and know that He is there.

May the freshness bring you new life,
pushing through the tender sod.
May you pause to pick a flower
and brush the hand of God.

The Less I Talk, The More I Listen

Anyone driving by me, saw someone taking a leisurely walk. They had no way of knowing what I was really doing - walking in prayer.

I used to think prayer was a head down, eyes closed, solemn occasion. Then, one day, I looked up and found myself in a moment of prayer. It was a simple 'Thank You'. I wasn't bringing a problem to God. I was offering up gratitude - head up - eyes open - heart light.

Since that time, my prayers have become shorter. Their frequency, however, has multiplied tenfold.

I can't close my eyes and pray while I'm driving, but I can turn off the radio and have a prayerful conversation with my Creator. I can pray while I'm walking, exercising, standing in a long line or doing work around the house.

I no longer connect and plug-in to God at a certain time and place once a day. I engage in a ongoing conversation with Him all day long, about all aspects of my life.

I don't have to go running to Him every time something goes wrong if I don't run away when everything is going right.

The less I talk, the more I listen. Shorter prayers allow me to carry on a real conversation - both talking and listening. Answers aren't drowned out by the sound of my own voice, or worse, a running commentary of worry in my head. "Did He hear me? Will He answer? Is He there?"

He hears, He answers, He's there - always. There's no need to ask those questions again and again and again - simply more time to listen and learn and see.

The more I listen, the more I see. Where once I would do down on bended knees and ask God to reveal His fingerprint in my life, I now see whole handprints. They're everywhere - in all of life.

A solemn occasion calls for solemn prayer, and it still has an absolute place in my life, but I believe I'm supposed to be happy about being here, not grim and somber every time I want to talk to God. I'm excited about having the gift of life.

I don't know all the answers. I don't know what the future holds. I can't see the big picture. But I'm excited about walking through it all with the One who does.

The strength of my belief won't allow my face to tighten into a permanent look that says, "Faith is a serious business and if I mean business I better look serious about it."

I simply can't.

One day I opened my eyes, looked up, and experienced an awesome occasion of prayer. A short while later I read John 17, which begins:

"Jesus said these things. Then, raising His eyes in prayer...."

There was no turning back after that.

Lift Up Your Eyes

Every morning lean your arms awhile up on the windowsill of heaven and gaze upon the Lord. Then with the vision in your heart, turn strong to meet your day.

Thomas Blake