“There are two kinds of people in the world, those who think they can and those who think they can’t. And both are right.” — Henry Ford
Which kind of person are you?
Category: Wisdom
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Do you think you can?
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Ford in his first car -
Guilty or not guilty?
“Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong – then guide me on the road to eternal life” – Psalm 139:23, 24/The Message.
Investigate, search, test me — those are mighty probing terms. Do I really want the God of the universe cross-examining me? One thing for sure – nothing will slip past him. There’s no way I can bluff the One who sees all and knows all.
Thank you, God, that you are a personal God. You are involved by knowing & caring for each of us. Gently lead me away from wrongful behavior and thinking. Guide me in the path of integrity & virtue.
- Are you willing to have every thought and action cross-examined before the Judge?
- If so, can you take steps to right the wrongs?
- Or, are there some pieces of your life you’d rather not have exposed?
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Seek Rest for your Soul
Grand Haven Lighthouse (photo by Steve Lasher) “Go somewhere fear told you you couldn’t go. Find your edge and push it. Speak that truth. Joseph Campbell said, ‘The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.’
The treasure is growth, risk’s reward. Turns out the cave is more amazing than frightening; spacious, pristine and liberating.” (from Soulseeds.com)
Is fear speaking to you right now? Maybe fear is preventing you from submitting a magazine or book proposal. Are you a bit afraid of going to the edge and signing up for a writer’s retreat? Have you considered a retreat or conference might be the jumpstart you need to go to the next level?
The treasure is awaiting you — you need only step out in faith. Reserve your spot now. Don’t delay another day. Is it time to begin Writing in Harmony with your Soul? A perfect opportunity awaits you to join fellow writers for 30 hours of writing, reflective time, learning, brainstorming and much more!
Find out more about finding your treasure and dispelling crippling fear. Come join us on March 22–23. For more information, see:
https://www.meetup.com/wordweavers-wmi/events/101252082/
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock & my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken” — Psalm 62:5–6.
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Time to withdraw?
“Life’s roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors.”
Going through a rough patch right now? Possibly your creativity has all but stopped. Maybe life seems unfair as you battle depression, a job loss, or rejections from numerous publications? Has the weather got you down due to seeing only snippets of sun in the last week? It’s tough to write from an empty heart, but then again, it could be rewarding in the end.
“Life’s roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors.” Take comfort in the fact that Jesus himself felt the need to withdraw from the crowd. In fact, Luke 5:16, states that he often withdrew – “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” If Jesus felt it necessary to come aside, how much more should I? While away, scripture says that he prayed to his Heavenly Father.
Dear God, you are my Rock, my everlasting shelter in the midst of a storm. You do not waver and your love and mercy has no limit. Thank you for being my steady, solid anchor. I can depend on you no matter what I may face today. Amen.
There’s no reason to feel guilty about taking the time to take care of me. This valuable period is worthwhile, nurturing, and necessary.
When you and I do return to the masses (or just our family and friends), we will be a much better happier and healthier person for having taken the time to slip away into the wilderness.
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Light shines brightest in darkness
“In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it” — John 1:4–5/Amp.
Do you realize that you speak words of Light and Life to many in darkness? As men and women of God, each of us holds within us a special, unique tale to tell. Consider: If I don’t speak, then who will?
Light shines on pinecones (photo by Steve Lasher) You may feel like no one is reading, listening, or appreciating the message you share. But many are reading your words, given by God, to touch and encourage hurting hearts. Truth spoken in love may bolster someone who feels worthless. Your words can give a teenager reason to feel beautiful or give a prisoner hope.
Just yesterday two people commented on how much they appreciated my Facebook posts and my blog. Those affirming words will help sustain me into another week of sometimes thankless wordsmithing. You and I may never know every person who reads our content. But God promises that his word will not return void — meaning those words possess the power to transform lives.
You are making a difference in this oftentimes cold and cruel world. Your light shines brightest in the darkness. So don’t give up.
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Guilty or not guilty?
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” — Psalm 139:23, 24.
“Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong – then guide me on the road to eternal life” – Psalm 139:23, 24 (The Message).
Investigate, search, test me — those are mighty probing terms. Do I really want the God of the universe cross-examining me? One thing for sure – nothing will slip past him. There’s no way I can bluff the One who sees all and knows all.
Prayer: Thank you, God, that you are a personal God. You are involved by knowing & caring for each of us. Gently lead me away from wrongful behavior and thinking. Guide me in the path of integrity & virtue.
Ask: What about you? Are you willing to have every thought and action cross-examined before the Judge? Or, like me, are there some pieces of your life you’d rather not have exposed? If so, can you take steps to right the wrongs?
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Am I faithful in the small things?
Mother Teresa “Nothing can make me holy except the presence of God and to me the presence of God is fidelity to small things. Fidelity to small things will lead you to Christ. Infidelity to small things will lead you to sin” — Mother Teresa, Her Essential Wisdom.
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Improve or enjoy the world?
Photo credit: Wikipedia I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. This makes it hard to plan the day. – E. B. White
The author of Charlotte’s Web was born on this day in 1899.
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Expecting answers
“Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God; for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation” — Psalm 5:2–3.
As I read these verses, I have to ask myself: do I lay all my requests before him? Do I wait in expectation for an answer from God? I’d have to confess that often I do not. How can I expect an answer if I don’t even ask the God of the universe?
I may tell God about the “big” issues like a lost job or relationship problems. But often I tend to do my own thing, go my merry way, and expect him to grant me joy and success. That’s not the way psalmist David describes my role. Here’s the tactic David took in times of trouble:
* He cried out for help to his King. Not just a tiny whisper or bow of his head quickly in case someone might hear or see him prayer. David knew God as the only true source of wisdom and comfort. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
* In the MORNING, he talked with God … not the last thing he did before he pillowed his head or just before crisis mode. No, it’s the FIRST TASK he did early in the day before other duties crowded out valuable one-on-one time.
* David watched and waited in eager anticipation of an answer. “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6).
Pray. Cry out for help. Listen. Wait.
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