Monthly Archives: November 2015

Knowing where to look

Posted on November 16, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Someone once asked the famous sceptic Bertrand Russell what the first thing would be that he’ll say to God when he meets Him. He replied that if he were to actually meet such a being he’d ask Him why He … Continue reading →

Posted in Agnosticism, Faith, God, God's presence, love | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

When more produces less

Posted on November 16, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Aristotle used to teach that virtue was the mid point between two extremes. So, for example, whereas recklessness is one extreme and cowardice the other, courage is the mid point where virtue sits. The important thing is to keep things … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Poverty, Riches, Virtue, wealth | Tagged | Leave a comment

Just come home

Posted on November 16, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

G. K. Chesterton was a brilliant man, who thought deep thoughts and expressed them powerfully in his writings. However, he was also extremely absent-minded, and over the years he became notorious for getting lost. He would often forget where he … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Life's journey, Lost | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Apathy costs us nothing – except…

Posted on November 15, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Apathy is something that costs us nothing except our self respect. Rosina Hernandez once watched a young man get bashed at a rock concert. No one did anything to stop it, and he subsequently died. She then made a vow … Continue reading →

Posted in Apathy, Courage, Self Image, Self respect | Leave a comment

There’s nothing there!

Posted on November 15, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

The problem of sudden success was highlighted a few years ago in a New York Times report on the aftermath of the Boston Red Sox having finally won The World Series Baseball after eighty six years of trying. It said: … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishments, Achievement, Ambition, Futility, Meaning in life, Meaninglessness, Success | Tagged | Leave a comment

Victoria’s not-so-secret

Posted on November 15, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Queen Victoria once held a reception in honour of an African chieftain. He’d never seen a finger bowl before and when was set before him he picked it up and drank its contents. The cream of British society sat aghast … Continue reading →

Posted in Generous spirit, Greatness, humility | Tagged | Leave a comment

The future doesn’t belong to the conquerors

Posted on November 11, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A French schoolmaster once wrote a report on of one of his students that said :‘He is the smallest, the meekest, the most unpromising boy in my class.’ Half a century later, that same boy, now a man was voted … Continue reading →

Posted in Greatness, Selflessness, Servant leadership, Service | Leave a comment

Afflictions v Affections

Posted on November 11, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Malcolm Muggeridge, just before his death, said: ‘Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I … Continue reading →

Posted in Strength, Tested, Trials and testings, Tried, Troubles | Leave a comment

What are we ashamed of?

Posted on November 11, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

As a teenager, Origen, who was later to become one of the great leaders and theologians of the early church, was determined to follow his father’s example and die as a martyr for his faith. His mother pleaded with him … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus, Ridicule, Shame, Witness | Leave a comment

Glorious bodies

Posted on November 11, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A little girl, sitting on her grandfather’s lap as he read her a story, from time to time would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek then stroke her own. Finally she said: … Continue reading →

Posted in Body, God, Heaven, Hope of Glory, Salvation, Transformation | Leave a comment