Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Destiny of Holiness

“. . .Be ye holy; for I am holy.” I Peter 1:16

Continually restate to yourself what the purpose of your life is. The destined end of man is not happiness, nor health, but holiness. . . .

God has one destined end for mankind, viz., holiness. His one aim is the production of saints. God is not an eternal blessing-machine for men; He did not come to save men out of pity: He came to save men because He had created them to be holy. . . .

Never tolerate through sympathy with yourself or with others any practice that is not in keeping with a holy God. Holiness means unsullied walking with the feet, unsullied talking with the tongue, unsullied thinking with the mind - every detail of the life under the scrutiny of God. Holiness is not only what God gives me, but what I manifest that God has given me.

From My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Self-Control

I've heard it said don't go to bed
while hanging on to sorrow,
you may not have the chance to laugh
with those you love tomorrow.

You may not mean the words you speak
when anger takes its toll,
you may regret your actions
once you've lost your self-control.

When you've lost your temper
and you've said some hurtful things,
think about the heartache
that your actions sometimes bring.

You'll never get those moments back,
such precious time to waste,
and all because of things you said
in anger and in haste.

So if you really love someone
and your pride has settled in,
you may not ever have the chance
to say to them again....

"I love you and I miss you,
and although we don't agree,
I'll try to see your point of view,
please do the same for me."

---Author Unknown

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

When He Hath Tried Me

God fashions with a Father’s care
Creating lusters bright and rare
That all His jewels might enhance
The Gospel message they advance,
And every polished facet show
His image and His love light’s glow.

He knows about the heat and fires
A character of gold requires,
He knows about affliction’s way
That brings those close who’ve gone astray.
He knows the faithful contemplate
And grow in patience as they wait.

A right response on David’s part
Made him a man who pleased God’s heart.
And Job, through tests severe and long,
Emerged as patient, steadfast, strong.
Through tests of faith Paul had to face
He learned God’s secret - strength and grace.

In my life’s tests may others see
Christ’s image also formed in me.
May I reflect God’s glory bright,
His grace and power for the night,
Assured in Him, as Job of old,
“When tried, I shall come forth as gold.”

- Merna B. Shank

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Try Smiling

When the weather suits you not,
Try smiling.
When your coffee isn’t hot,
Try smiling.
When your neighbors don’t do right,
Or your relatives all fight,
Sure ‘tis hard, but then you might
Try smiling.

Doesn’t change the things, of course-
Just smiling.
But it cannot make them worse-
Just smiling.
And it seems to help your case,
Brightens up a gloomy place,
Then it sort o’ rests your face-
Just smiling.

- Unknown

It would probably be better not to drink coffee at all, hot or otherwise.  :-)

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

How many friends have you?

The old man turned to me and asked
"How many friends have you?"
Why 10 or 20 friends have I,
And named off just a few...

He rose quite slow with effort
And sadly shook his head
"A lucky child you are
With so many friends," he said

But think of what you're saying
There is much you may not know
A friend is just not someone
To whom you say “Hello”

A friends a tender shoulder
On which to softly cry
A well to pour your troubles down
And raise your spirits high

A friend is a hand to pull you up
From darkness and despair...
When all your other “so called” friends
Have helped to put you there

A true friend is an ally
Who can't be moved or bought
A voice to keep your name alive
When others have not thought

But most of all a friends a heart
A strong and sturdy wall
For from the hearts of friends
There comes the greatest love of all!!

So think of what I've spoken
For every word is true
And answer once again my child
How many friends have you??

And then he stood and faced me
Awaiting my reply
Softly I answered
"If lucky.......one have I"

~Author Unknown

Friday, June 3, 2011

Christian fortitude

What a load of injuries can some Christians digest, who have been frequent in sufferings and long exercised in the school of affliction. Not that they bear them out of baseness or cowardliness, because they dare not revenge—but out of Christian fortitude, because they may not; they have so conquered themselves that wrongs cannot conquer them.

Burder quoted in - A Treatise on Temper—its Use and Abuse