E
EROS
Guest
The more I study religions, the more I am convinced that
man never worshipped anything but himself.
Sir Richard F. Burton
A thought for the Day
- Thread starter JC2
- Start date
The more I study religions, the more I am convinced that
man never worshipped anything but himself.
Sir Richard F. Burton
helenabear
<font color=deeppink>There is hope for the helples
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Our Soul's Promise
We all have had our fair share
Of painful letdowns and disbeliefs,
We all have had more than our share
Of empty promises and grief
Yet,
Despite it all,
That one thing which we all still possess
Is faith!
Faith in ourselves,
Faith in what the future might yet afford us -
If only,
We might will it so
If only,
We might, finally let go
Of that which bounds us and enchains us,
And prevents us from truly being ourselves .
And denies us:
The Promise.
Such promised dreams, that our souls clammer for
Each and every day, for us, and for everyone -
Such a promise, that possesses the means-with-all
To incite, to empower us to rise above and to overcome
All that which ills us and arrests us, and denies us
That very Promise!
Our soul-speak!
Our very dear selves!
Our Promise,
Should never be contrived
By any other souls, but by ourselves
So should our promise be.
And as time goes by,
And promises come and promises go,
And the faithful sadly let go, and fail to sow
It is our soul's promises that should always remain true.
~ Hans Raffelt
We all have had our fair share
Of painful letdowns and disbeliefs,
We all have had more than our share
Of empty promises and grief
Yet,
Despite it all,
That one thing which we all still possess
Is faith!
Faith in ourselves,
Faith in what the future might yet afford us -
If only,
We might will it so
If only,
We might, finally let go
Of that which bounds us and enchains us,
And prevents us from truly being ourselves .
And denies us:
The Promise.
Such promised dreams, that our souls clammer for
Each and every day, for us, and for everyone -
Such a promise, that possesses the means-with-all
To incite, to empower us to rise above and to overcome
All that which ills us and arrests us, and denies us
That very Promise!
Our soul-speak!
Our very dear selves!
Our Promise,
Should never be contrived
By any other souls, but by ourselves
So should our promise be.
And as time goes by,
And promises come and promises go,
And the faithful sadly let go, and fail to sow
It is our soul's promises that should always remain true.
~ Hans Raffelt
Disney Doll
DIS Security Matron
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2000
- Messages
- 28,883
The Brick
A young and successful executive was travelling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.
As he slowed down, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and drove the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car, shouting,"What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"
The young boy was apologetic. "Please mister...please, I'm sorry...I didn't know what else to do," he pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."
Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back intot he wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly developing lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into his wheelchair, then took out his fancy handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be OK.
"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger.
Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the little boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.
It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!
God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice: Listen to the whisper or wait for the brick!
I don't know who wrote this, but it's always been a favorite of mine. God bless all of you who have shared uplifting passages. My prayers for all.
A young and successful executive was travelling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.
As he slowed down, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and drove the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car, shouting,"What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"
The young boy was apologetic. "Please mister...please, I'm sorry...I didn't know what else to do," he pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."
Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back intot he wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly developing lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into his wheelchair, then took out his fancy handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be OK.
"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger.
Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the little boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.
It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!
God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice: Listen to the whisper or wait for the brick!
I don't know who wrote this, but it's always been a favorite of mine. God bless all of you who have shared uplifting passages. My prayers for all.
helenabear
<font color=deeppink>There is hope for the helples
- Joined
- Oct 23, 1999
- Messages
- 40,739
DisneyDoll... that is a very very beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing that one with us. Definitely something to keep in mind each and every day 
Disney Doll
DIS Security Matron
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- 28,883
You know, I have really enjoyed all the uplifting sentiments expressed here. What a wonderful thread!!!!!
Dan Murphy
We are family.
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- Apr 20, 2000
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- 84,026
Very nice story, and lesson, DD. Very nice indeed. And thank you too, Elaine. Hello to you, Spags. 
Enormous opportunity
If you're looking for an enormous opportunity here's a clear, simple, undisputed fact to consider. There is no limit to the number of lives upon which you can make a positive impact.
No matter who you are, or what your job is, or what has happened in your past, there are countless ways that you can make a positive difference for people. And the more lives you improve, the more your own life will improve. The more value you create for the world around you, the more value and richness you'll experience in your own life. That is an incredible basis for true and lasting opportunity, and it is available to you right now.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, show up with a genuine desire to make a real, lasting positive difference. The best opportunities depend not on being in the right place at the right time, but rather on your commitment to creating value in whatever you do.
-- Ralph Marston
Enormous opportunity
If you're looking for an enormous opportunity here's a clear, simple, undisputed fact to consider. There is no limit to the number of lives upon which you can make a positive impact.
No matter who you are, or what your job is, or what has happened in your past, there are countless ways that you can make a positive difference for people. And the more lives you improve, the more your own life will improve. The more value you create for the world around you, the more value and richness you'll experience in your own life. That is an incredible basis for true and lasting opportunity, and it is available to you right now.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, show up with a genuine desire to make a real, lasting positive difference. The best opportunities depend not on being in the right place at the right time, but rather on your commitment to creating value in whatever you do.
-- Ralph Marston
E
EROS
Guest
"The Bible and the Church have been the greatest stumbling blocks in the way of women's emancipation."
-- Elizabeth Cady Stanton
-- Elizabeth Cady Stanton
/
helenabear
<font color=deeppink>There is hope for the helples
- Joined
- Oct 23, 1999
- Messages
- 40,739
"Love is the only gold."
- Alfred Lord Tennyson
- Alfred Lord Tennyson
E
EROS
Guest
"Science, testing absolutely all thoughts, all works, has already burst well upon the world -- a sun, mounting, most illuminating, most glorious, surely never again to set. But against it, deeply entrench'd, holding possession, yet remains (not only through the churches and schools, but by imaginative literature, and unregenerate poetry) the fossil theology of the mythic-materialistic, superstitious, untaught and credulous fable-loving, primitive ages of humanity."
WALT WHITMAN.......
WALT WHITMAN.......
Buckalew
<font color=teal>Hammonitup!!!<br><font color=dark
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2000
- Messages
- 2,219
Disney Doll,
I love that little story! Ah... it seems to be my struggle in life... listening to God. He speaks. Usually I hear, sometimes I ignore. Yet, He still loves. Sometimes I feel just like Paul.
Thank you for sharing. I have often equated it with a quiet tap on the shoulder from God & hoping He doesn't have to bonk me in the head!!
I love that little story! Ah... it seems to be my struggle in life... listening to God. He speaks. Usually I hear, sometimes I ignore. Yet, He still loves. Sometimes I feel just like Paul.
Thank you for sharing. I have often equated it with a quiet tap on the shoulder from God & hoping He doesn't have to bonk me in the head!!
helenabear
<font color=deeppink>There is hope for the helples
- Joined
- Oct 23, 1999
- Messages
- 40,739
Brenda, I think that's how a lot of us can feel at times. Sometimes I wish I could listen better instead of hearing and ignoring as you said.
I just found this one and I really like it
"If you love all things, you will also attain the divine mystery that is in all things. For then your ability to perceive the truth will grow every day, and your mind will open itself to an all-embracing love."
~Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Buckalew
<font color=teal>Hammonitup!!!<br><font color=dark
- Joined
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- Messages
- 2,219
Well, Elaine, the problem is I tend to feel this way almost everyday anymore. I know it could be worse. At least I am aware that God is softly tapping on my shoulder. Used to, I didn't even know it. I just went on with daily life as it was. Then, my relationship became very personal with Him and everything changed. Now, I have fallen back into old habits. Somedays I pray, some I do not. Some days I read my bible, some days I do not. Somedays I study His word, somedays I do not. Somedays I talk with Him and listen for Him to speak, somedays I do not.
I know better & I know how different my life was when I didn't do this struggle with Him. So why do I do it? I am very frustrated with myself about this. Do you think a lot of people are like this?
I know better & I know how different my life was when I didn't do this struggle with Him. So why do I do it? I am very frustrated with myself about this. Do you think a lot of people are like this?
Dan Murphy
We are family.
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- Apr 20, 2000
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- 84,026
Bren, we all do need a brick thrown at us once in awhile. And Elaine, love is indeed good for the soul.
Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.
- Soren Kierkegaard
One of Mark Twain's most interesting writings states we should live
life backwards from the age of eighty to the time we were just a gleam
in someone's eye. How much more we'd learn, he felt, if we already
knew how to live before we had to.
We may fantasize sometimes about going back with the tools of the
program we're using today to our families, our high schools, or our
dating years. It may please us to think of how "together" we would be
with such tools, knowing what we know now.
But we can't live backwards. Every year we move along in age,
experience, maturity, and wisdom. Sometimes we only see such growth
on birthdays, when we look back to a year ago at who we were then
and who we are now. As our years advance, so do we. Sometimes we
need to take a brief look backward in order to see this.
Tonight I'll remember that to see my growth all I have to do is look at
where I was a year ago. I have advanced in age, but I've also advanced
in wisdom and maturity.
--Night Light
And Elaine, love is indeed good for the soul.Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.
- Soren Kierkegaard
One of Mark Twain's most interesting writings states we should live
life backwards from the age of eighty to the time we were just a gleam
in someone's eye. How much more we'd learn, he felt, if we already
knew how to live before we had to.
We may fantasize sometimes about going back with the tools of the
program we're using today to our families, our high schools, or our
dating years. It may please us to think of how "together" we would be
with such tools, knowing what we know now.
But we can't live backwards. Every year we move along in age,
experience, maturity, and wisdom. Sometimes we only see such growth
on birthdays, when we look back to a year ago at who we were then
and who we are now. As our years advance, so do we. Sometimes we
need to take a brief look backward in order to see this.
Tonight I'll remember that to see my growth all I have to do is look at
where I was a year ago. I have advanced in age, but I've also advanced
in wisdom and maturity.
--Night Light
Disney Doll
DIS Security Matron
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- 28,883
May today there be peace within you.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
I believe that friends are quiet angels.
They lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
Dan Murphy
We are family.
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2000
- Messages
- 84,026
Beauty
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful. Give joy, and you will be joyful. Offer fulfillment, and you will be fulfilled.
Even in the most painful times -- especially in the painful times -- absorb and enjoy the beauty that is around you. There is no virtue in keeping yourself miserable. Always, there is beauty to be found, and it is yours to enjoy.
Drink in the beauty that is around you, and you're able to give joy to others. Be thankful for the beauty and abundance of life, and it will grow.
When you look for beauty you will find it, even in the most difficult circumstances. And that is when you need it most. Remember, life can be beautiful, and it will be if only you will let it be.
-- Ralph Marston
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful. Give joy, and you will be joyful. Offer fulfillment, and you will be fulfilled.
Even in the most painful times -- especially in the painful times -- absorb and enjoy the beauty that is around you. There is no virtue in keeping yourself miserable. Always, there is beauty to be found, and it is yours to enjoy.
Drink in the beauty that is around you, and you're able to give joy to others. Be thankful for the beauty and abundance of life, and it will grow.
When you look for beauty you will find it, even in the most difficult circumstances. And that is when you need it most. Remember, life can be beautiful, and it will be if only you will let it be.
-- Ralph Marston
Dan Murphy
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The hearing ear is always found dose to the speaking tongue.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Listening research shows that we hear only about 60 percent of what is
said. This has nothing to do with the functioning of our ears; it has to
do with paying attention. Listening is a learnable skill, but it requires
focused energy. Not long ago, I met a woman who thought that her
manager considered her boring because he seemed not to listen to her.
But soon she recognized that his lack of attentiveness to what she was
saying was about his rudeness -- not about her personality. While our
communication research shows that we have 6,000 words in our spoken
vocabulary with 120,000 meanings, imagine how little we truly
understand! To truly listen, we must face the speaker and focus on what
he or she is saying to us and tune out all the internal "noise" in our
heads. When we can truly hear one another, we are creating the
possibility for connection.
---Igniting the Spirit at Work
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Listening research shows that we hear only about 60 percent of what is
said. This has nothing to do with the functioning of our ears; it has to
do with paying attention. Listening is a learnable skill, but it requires
focused energy. Not long ago, I met a woman who thought that her
manager considered her boring because he seemed not to listen to her.
But soon she recognized that his lack of attentiveness to what she was
saying was about his rudeness -- not about her personality. While our
communication research shows that we have 6,000 words in our spoken
vocabulary with 120,000 meanings, imagine how little we truly
understand! To truly listen, we must face the speaker and focus on what
he or she is saying to us and tune out all the internal "noise" in our
heads. When we can truly hear one another, we are creating the
possibility for connection.
---Igniting the Spirit at Work
This is a wonderful thread!
Buckalew, you aren't alone in this.
One thing that has helped me is a little daily devotional book that I bought by Billy Graham. If I set aside the time each day to read that days devotion, and then study the bible verses that go with the devotion and then pray upon what I just read, it can really change the tone of the day.
This is todays: (August 4)
Patience and Perfection
The testing of your faith produces patience JAMES 1:3
"Patience isn't easy for most of us. If a plane is delayed a few minutes or something doesn't happen exactly when or how we expected it to, we get impatient and frustrated. I have heard of people who quit going to a particular church because the preacher didn't stop exactly on time! James said, 'Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You, too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near' (James 5:78)
Patience is not simply 'teeth-clenched' endurance. It is an attitude of expectation. The farmer patiently watches his barren ground because heknows there will be results. He has patience in his labors because there will be products of his labor.
So it is in the spiritual realm. God knows the final product of what is happening to us and he would have us link patience to our faith. As God for the gift of patience-and then use it."
I don't know if this particular message can apply to you, but lots of times after I read the devotion, I dive into the verse in the Bible, and it leads on to other readings and so many times, it just hits me-whammo! Just what I needed to hear for that day. It happens more than not. It helps feed my faith.
Buckalew, you aren't alone in this.
One thing that has helped me is a little daily devotional book that I bought by Billy Graham. If I set aside the time each day to read that days devotion, and then study the bible verses that go with the devotion and then pray upon what I just read, it can really change the tone of the day.
This is todays: (August 4)
Patience and Perfection
The testing of your faith produces patience JAMES 1:3
"Patience isn't easy for most of us. If a plane is delayed a few minutes or something doesn't happen exactly when or how we expected it to, we get impatient and frustrated. I have heard of people who quit going to a particular church because the preacher didn't stop exactly on time! James said, 'Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You, too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near' (James 5:78)
Patience is not simply 'teeth-clenched' endurance. It is an attitude of expectation. The farmer patiently watches his barren ground because heknows there will be results. He has patience in his labors because there will be products of his labor.
So it is in the spiritual realm. God knows the final product of what is happening to us and he would have us link patience to our faith. As God for the gift of patience-and then use it."
I don't know if this particular message can apply to you, but lots of times after I read the devotion, I dive into the verse in the Bible, and it leads on to other readings and so many times, it just hits me-whammo! Just what I needed to hear for that day. It happens more than not. It helps feed my faith.
E
EROS
Guest
"Man is a marvelous curiosity
he thinks he is the Creator's pet
he even believes the Creator loves him; has a passion for him; sits up nights to admire him; yes and watch over him and keep him out of trouble. He prays to him and thinks He listens. Isn't it a quaint idea?"
-- Mark Twain
-- Mark Twain
helenabear
<font color=deeppink>There is hope for the helples
- Joined
- Oct 23, 1999
- Messages
- 40,739
If it's hurtful and untrue, don't say it.
If it's helpful and untrue, don't say it.
It it's hurtful and true, don't say it.
If it's helpful and true, find the right time.
- author unknown
If it's helpful and untrue, don't say it.
It it's hurtful and true, don't say it.
If it's helpful and true, find the right time.
- author unknown
helenabear
<font color=deeppink>There is hope for the helples
- Joined
- Oct 23, 1999
- Messages
- 40,739
Brenda, I know from personal experience you are definitely not alone. Not long after my mom died I went through a time where I eventually ignored God all together almost every day of my life... I even "publically" announced that God could not and did not exist. I eventually let myself become aware that He was there, hovering over me, guiding me and watching over me as He always had. So at least you are still very aware that He is there "tapping on your shoulder" as you said it.
Sometimes stepping back and looking at everything (no matter what in life) is good. It can truly help strengthen your personal beliefs and really help make you a better person. I know right now you say that you feel your life was better before when your relationship was closer and more personal but don't be to terribly hard on yourself. He is like that good friend or family member who you sort of distance yourself from for a short while. The thing is you two will find your way back to where you were before in no time. I think you can ask yourself why things have changed but don't get frustrated with yourself just yet that things have changed as nothing in life is permanent and I am sure these current feelings you have will not last for long. He will be there whenever you are ready to go back to your more personal relationship with Him... trust me, I know
Sometimes stepping back and looking at everything (no matter what in life) is good. It can truly help strengthen your personal beliefs and really help make you a better person. I know right now you say that you feel your life was better before when your relationship was closer and more personal but don't be to terribly hard on yourself. He is like that good friend or family member who you sort of distance yourself from for a short while. The thing is you two will find your way back to where you were before in no time. I think you can ask yourself why things have changed but don't get frustrated with yourself just yet that things have changed as nothing in life is permanent and I am sure these current feelings you have will not last for long. He will be there whenever you are ready to go back to your more personal relationship with Him... trust me, I know
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