Monthly Archives: September 2016

What we dream of may already be around us

Posted on September 29, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s a story told about a little girl who lived in a very humble home and used to gaze wonderingly at a house on a far-away hill, whose windows, every morning, would shine with a golden light. Years later, when … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Disatisfaction, Dreams | Leave a comment

Sometimes the cure is worse than the complaint

Posted on September 29, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

While living in a remote part of Australia’s Northern territory I learned that bushmen will only ever eat flying fox in the direst circumstances, because its vile smell permeates the body of the person who eats it. The one good … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment | Leave a comment

No one laughed at her anymore

Posted on September 29, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

Children can often be cruel to another child who is different, and sometimes they can be wonderful too. A teacher told about having a girl in her class who had special needs. One day she overheard some of the boys … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Christlikeness, Compassion, Cruelty | Leave a comment

‘God, who sees in secret will reward you openly.’

Posted on September 29, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

Emil Zatopek, the only man ever to win Olympic gold in the 5,000 metres, 10,000 metres and marathon, had enormous respect for Australia’s Ron Clark who, though he’d broken many of Zatopek’s records, had never won Olympic gold. The two … Continue reading →

Posted in Faithfulness, God, Reward | Leave a comment

Belief or unbelief – it’s an act of faith

Posted on September 21, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

I never cease to be amazed by the arrogance of those who contemptuously dismiss people who believe in God as being intellectually deficient in comparison with their superior intelligence. Whichever way you look at the origin of all that exists … Continue reading →

Posted in Agnosticism, Atheism, Believing, creation, Divine intelligence, Faith | Leave a comment

The story may start with prejudice … but

Posted on September 21, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s a tendency to discount the Bible because of odd verses in the Old Testament that don’t fit modern ideas. But one of the basic rules of understanding is that you have to look at the whole story, not just … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Bible, Bigotry, Bitterness, Goodness, Gospel, Grace, Jesus | Leave a comment

Nobility of spirit

Posted on September 21, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

For many people the highest honour in sport is not Olympic gold but the Pierre de Coubertin International Fair Play Trophy, named for the founder of the modern Olympics. It’s awarded to players who demonstrate nobility of spirit. The first … Continue reading →

Posted in Nobility, Selflessness, True greatness | Tagged | Leave a comment

A fifth-rate planet revolving around a tenth-rate sun

Posted on September 21, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

Earth has been described as ‘a fifth-rate planet revolving around a tenth-rate sun in the forgotten corner of the universe.’ The more we learn about the immensity of Space the tinier and more insignificant our part of the Universe seems … Continue reading →

Posted in creation, God, God with us, God's love, Universe | Leave a comment

No pockets in a dead man’s suit

Posted on September 21, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

Ray Stedman, setting off an extended speaking tour, had the misfortune of having an airline lose his baggage; so he went to an op shop to buy a suit. The salesman led him to a rack of near new suits. … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Eternity, Life's lessons, Treasure in Heaven | Leave a comment

Focusing the mind on what’s really important

Posted on September 21, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

Working in a hospital gives a unique perspective on life. Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse, wrote an insightful article about the top five wishes of those who are dying. They are: I wish I’d had the courage to live … Continue reading →

Posted in Focusing, Life, Life's journey, Life's lessons | Leave a comment