Monthly Archives: January 2015

Declaring my genius

Posted on January 4, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A customs officer once asked Oscar Wilde if he had anything to declare. He replied: “Only my genius.” Fifteen years later, alone and broken in prison, he reflected on his life and said. “I have been a spendthrift of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Despair, Oscar Wilde, Pride, Regret, True greatness | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Give, and it shall be given to you.

Posted on January 2, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Two young students once engaged the great pianist Paderewski to give a recital.Unfortunately the concert raised much less than the agreed fee, but they handed it over with a promise to pay the rest as soon as they could. Paderewski … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundant life, Faithfulness, Generosity, God's faithfulness | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lions and lambs

Posted on January 2, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A few years ago a Roman Catholic parish in Holland decided hold a special service for the blessing of family pets in order to mark World Animal Day as well as the Feast of Saint Francis, who, of course, was … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Paradise, Peace, Second coming of Christ | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

An unknown region with a well-know inhabitant

Posted on January 2, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

We know very little about the after-life but someone once described it as “an unknown region with a well-know inhabitant.” I remember an old man I once ministered to just before his death, who told me how, in London, at … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Eternity, Faith, God, Heaven, Trust in God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What’s beyond the door

Posted on January 2, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A.M. Hunter used to tell the story of a man suffering from a terminal illness, who asked his doctor to tell him about what lay ahead for him after he died. As the doctor fumbled for a reply, he heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Faith, Heaven, Trust in God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment