Monthly Archives: February 2015

Allergic to ourselves

Posted on February 25, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Bill Flick, a columnist for The Pantagraph, reported the case of a man in England who, for thirty five years, had been robbed of restful sleep because he sneezed several hundred times each day. Over the years various doctors had … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Peace, Peaceful Sleep, Rest, Restlessness, Sleeplessness | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Meaningless monotony

Posted on February 25, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

William Barclay had a dog named Rusty who would accompany him on walks beside a stream, where he would plunge into the water, grab a rock in his mouth and bring it to the bank, and there he would carefully … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Meaninglessness | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The most beautiful things are not seen but felt

Posted on February 25, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

I remember hearing about one of those great Sydney characters of yesteryear, a celebrated open –air preacher named Roy Gordon, who was being constantly interrupted by an interjector who said it was nonsense to believe in things you can’t see. … Continue reading →

Posted in Believing, Faith, Feeling, Preacher, Unbelief | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Start a quarrel and the vultures start circling

Posted on February 25, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

The American Indians used to tell a story about a couple of thirsty male cougars who both arrived at their usual water hole at the same time. They immediately began to snarl threateningly at each other, each one daring the … Continue reading →

Posted in Conflict, Quarrel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Fears become less fearful when we face them

Posted on February 25, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old parable of a little boy running away from a witch who had turned herself into a cat. As the boy ran he kept glancing fearfully over his shoulder. The first time he looked back the cat was … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Courage, facing our fears, Faith, Fear | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The anchors of hope

Posted on February 12, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

In the ancient world the anchor was the symbol of hope.The Greek philosopher Epictetus said: ‘A ship should never depend on one anchor.’ The philosopher Pythagoras took this further when he said: ‘Wealth is a weak anchor; and fame is … Continue reading →

Posted in Anchor, Faith, fame, Hope, hope and love, love, Security, Spiritual Insight, wealth | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Which way did he go?

Posted on February 12, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an epitaph on a headstone outside an English parish church that says: ‘Behold all you who pass by, for as you are so once was I; and as I am so you will be; prepare yourself to follow me.’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Eternity, Judgement, Kingdom of God, Knowing God, Life's journey, Spiritual Insight | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Signs of a sick spirit

Posted on February 12, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old Jewish story about two shopkeepers who were bitter rivals and would spend each day keeping track of each other’s business. If one got a customer, he’d smile in triumph at his rival. If the other got the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bitterness, Enemy, Resentment, Self Destruction, Selfishness, selling our souls, Spiritual Darkness, Spite | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

With humility comes wisdom

Posted on February 12, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

I heard about a newly commissioned officer in the Army who stopped to buy a soft drink from a vending machine but found he had no change. So he stopped a passing soldier and asked him if he had change … Continue reading →

Posted in humility, Maturity, Pride, Spiritual growth, Spiritual Insight, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

God wants to take my picture

Posted on February 12, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Tony Campolo tells a story about a friend who has an adorable four-year-old daughter who, one night during a violent thunderstorm, was found, quite unpeturbed, standing on the windowsill, spread-eagled against the glass. As the lightning flashed and the thunder … Continue reading →

Posted in Childlike faith, children, Faith, Life, Life's journey, Storms of life | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment