FROM TODAY'S READING (10/31/2018)...
“We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not figures on a dial. We should count time by heart throbs. He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.”
Philip James Bailey
Colossians 3:17 (NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Image: Creative Commons (Wikimedia Commons)
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/30/2018)...
“You have no control over what the other guy does. You only have control over what you do.”
A. J. Kitt
Proverbs 25:28 NLT A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) ...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Image: Creative Commons (Flickr/Leo Reynolds)
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/29/2018)...
“The cynic is one who never sees a good quality in a man and never fails to see a bad one. He is the human owl, vigilant in darkness and blind to light; mousing for vermin and never seeing noble game.”
Henry Ward Beecher
Romans 15:3-6 (NLT) For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Image:Creative Commons (daveenjoys.com)
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/26/2018)...
“Be such a man, and live such a life, that if every man were such as you, and every life a life like yours, this earth would be God's Paradise.”
Phillips Brooks (Trinity Church, Boston, MA)
Isaiah 1:16-17 (NLT) Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
Image: Creative Commons (Flickr/Steven Depolo)
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/25/2018)...
"The most beautiful people I've known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and have found their way out of the depths."
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Psalms 46:1-3 (NLT) God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude
Image: Creative Commons/Deep Blue Sea. Jan Juc, Vic Australia. Copyright: Gary Light. Creative Commons License: (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/24/2018)...
"A critic is someone who never actually goes to the battle yet who afterwards comes out shooting the wounded."
Tyne Daly
"A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin."
H. L. Mencken
Romans 14:12-13 (NLT) Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
Romans 15:2-6 (NLT) We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Image: Creative Commons (PLIXS/Free Stock Photo)
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/23/2018)...
Famed preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote that he remained observant throughout each day...always looking for his next sermon illustration. I have found his advice most helpful. The attached image taken at a recent dentist office visit is such an example...
Rocky
Proverbs 19:20 (NLT) Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/22/2018)...
"If there are things you don't like in the world you grew up in, make your own life different."
Dave Thomas
Psalms 37:3-5 (NLT) Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Image: Creative Commons (Allen Graffiti)
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/19/2018)...
"A great attitude becomes a great day which becomes a great month which becomes a great year which becomes a great life."
Mandy Hale
Psalms 118:24 (NLT) This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Philippians 4:8 (NLT) And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Image: Creative Commons (ND Struper)
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/18/2018)...
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain."
Vivian Greene
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
Image: Creative Commons (Google search)
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/17/2018)...
“As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed."
Vincent Van Gogh
Hebrews 10:36 (NLT) Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
Colossians 1:11-12 (NLT) We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/16/2018)...
My wife has been walking approximately six miles per day with one of her friends. And, yes, that is twelve months of the year...that would be a Maine year. You can imagine my concern for her well-being.
"Be careful not to injure your muscles."
"You're going to get frost bite!"
"Watch out for coyotes and black bears...and rabid coons...or large gray squirrels!"
"Don't get hit by a school bus or dump truck."
"Don't get whacked by a drunk, druggy, texters,or person in my age bracket!"
"Man, it is really cold out there!"
"Man, it is really warm and muggy today!"
"Man, looks like it is going to rain."
"Shouldn't you take a break?"
"You really should let that blister heal up."
"Wow...congrats...you finished another half-marathon."
I started walking three miles per day last week. This morning I asked her about the cold walking weather...34 degrees. She simply and lovingly replied, "Would you rather be cold, uncomfortable, and healthy walking outside or warm, comfortable, and unhealthy sitting in your easy-chair?"
I just returned from another three-mile walk. :-)
1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT) Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/12/2018)...
"No one would ever have crossed the ocean if he could have gotten off the ship in the storm."
Charles F. Kettering
Luke 8:22-25 (NLT) One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.
The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”
The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”
Image: Creative Commons Wikimedia/The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt 1632
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/11/2018)...
I walked a mile with Pleasure -
She chattered all the way
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow
And ne'er a word said she,
But, oh, the things I learned from her
When Sorrow walked with me.
by Robert Browning Hamilton
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT) Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Image: Creative Commons (Wikimedia Commons)
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/10/2018)...
For every achievement there is a price.
For every goal there is an opponent.
For every victory there is a problem.
For every triumph there is sacrifice.
by William Arthur Ward
Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/9/2018)...
If you want to love like Jesus, you've got to...
become more mindful – less detached
become more approachable – less exclusive
become more graceful – less judgmental
become more bold – less fearful
become more self-giving – less self-absorbed.
by Les Parrott ("Five Relationship Secrets From Jesus" Thomas Nelson, 2018)
Matthew 9:35-36 (NLT) Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Image: Creative Commons (Flickr/GrowWear)
FROM TODAY'S READING (10/8/2018)...
"We must always remember that it is when passions are most inflamed that fairness is most in jeopardy.”
Senator Susan Collins
Proverbs 14:29 (NLT) People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.
Proverbs 16:32 (NLT) Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
Image: Creative Commons (Wikimedia Commons)
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