The Good Times Are All Gone

The depressed person sometimes thinks that the good times are all past, that there is nothing left for the present or the future. These melancholic thoughts are deeply rooted in Satan's preference for days gone by, for memory and the sense that time is passing.
(Thomas Moore, Care Of The Soul, p. 138)
31 August 2015

Deal With It

If God brings something to light, then be bold enough to deal with it.

(Joel Osteen, Become a Better You, p. 322)

30 August 2015

Humor

Lord, help me see the humor today in something that would ordinarily make me mad.
(Linda Neukrug in Daily Guideposts - 2014, 18 July)
29 August 2015

Protection

May the strength of God pilot us.
May the power of God preserve us.
May the wisdom of God instruct us.
May the hand of God protect us.
May the way of God direct us.
May the shield of God defend us.
May the host of God guard us against the snares of the evil one and the temptations of the world.
May Christ be with us.
Christ before us.
Christ in us, Christ over us.
May Your salvation, O Lord, be always ours this day and for evermore.
Amen.
(St. Patrick, Prayers For Every Need, p. 188)
27 August 2015

Guiding My Path

Thank You, Lord, for guiding my path and providing me with loving companions wherever I journey in life.
(Daily Guideposts - 2013, 25 June)
26 August 2015

Hear Us O Lord

Hear us, O Lord, as we now pray,
dedicate us to Your way;
lead us to work that bears your fruit,
giving knowledge of Your truth.

Open our door and enter in,
rescue from darkness and from sin.

Strengthen according to Your might, share with us the promised life.
(Moravian Daily Texts - 2013, 22 August)
25 August 2015

Help & Sustain

O Lord, help us and sustain us. 

Encourage us and support us as we follow your guide.

Lead us in mission and in deed as we follow your will.

Help us to become the people You want us to be.

We are Yours.

Amen.

(Moravian Daily Texts - 2013, 22 August)

24 August 2015

Blessings

Lord, help me bless my family and friends by praying for them in their different seasons of life.
(Pablo Diaz in Daily Guideposts - 2014, 23 August)
23 August 2015

It's Not My Job

... I am an individual person, separate from other human beings, and as such I have no responsibility for, or authority over, them. [However,] I still have people in my life who want me to take on their responsibilities.
(Hope For Today, 29 January)
22 August 2015

Forgiveness

God, enable me to seek forgiveness, grant forgiveness, and receive forgiveness, just as You have forgiven me.
(Bill Giovannetti, Daily Guideposts - 2014, 8 July)
18 August 2015

Resting

Please help me Lord, to make resting a priority.

(Rachel Quillin, Everyday Prayers, p. 166)

17 August 2015

Rest

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.
(John Lubbock in Everyday Prayers by Rachel Quillin, p.166)
16 August 2015

More About Empires

Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science and learning. He shed more light on things human and divine than all the philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of the school, He spoke words of life such as were never spoken before, nor since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, He has set more pens in motion and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, works of art, learned volumes, and sweet songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times. Born in a manger and crucified as a malefactor, He now controls the destinies of the civilized world, and rules a spiritual empire which embraces one third of the inhabitants of the globe.
(Phillip Schaff, in Flowers Along The Path by Esther Carls Dodgen, p. 59)
12 August 2015

Empires

Coneflowers in our yard

Yellow finches like these when the seeds are dry.

Photo by Mr. Dickie

Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I myself have founded empires; but upon what do these creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions would die for Him.
(Napoleon Bonaparte, conversation with General Bertrand at St. Helena, in Flowers Along The Path, by Esther Carls Dodgen, p. 58)
11 August 2015

This Day

White Hibiscus in our backyard

We thank You for this day.

Help us to make the most of it.

(Moravian Daily Texts - 2013, 10 August)

10 August 2015

Guilt

Hibiscus In Our Backyard

Photo By Mr. Dickie

Religion ... uses guilt to keep people in line, even telling them that they'll burn in Hell if they misbehave."
(Louise L. Hay, Meditations To Heal Your Life, p. 111)
9 August 2015

First Things

Today I will put first things first. I will stay close to what keeps me connected, physically and spiritually.
(Perry Tilleraas, The Color Of Light, 1 March)
9 August 2015

Daily Tests

Holy Father, you are our rock and our fortress.
Guide us through the burdens of our days.
Upon You we lay our faith.
Help us be strong when we are weary and steadfast through our daily tests.
You are our strength.  Amen.
(Moravian Daily Texts - 2013, 7 August)
7 August 2015

Take It, Or Leave It

You have to take it as it happens, but you should try to make it happen the way you want to take it.
(Old German Proverb in Time For Joy by Ruth Fishel, 28 April)
4 August 2015

Summer Blessing

Lord, let us seize the moments of this day with a zeal for loving justice. May we offer grace to others as we grow and mature in community. May we also be a summer blessing to others in your sight. Amen.
(Moravian Daily Texts - 2013, 31 July)
3 August 2015

A Personal Program

Today I am growing in my awareness that my mind, body and spirit need exercise and nourishment. Through prayer and meditation, exercise and inspirational reading, I am developing a personal program for physical, mental and spiritual growth.
(Ruth Fishel, Time For Joy, 14 April)
2 August 2015