Author Archives: vincentsmithauthor

The essence of spirituality

Posted on March 6, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

I know of a woman who was locked into a loveless marriage with a man who was so demanding that he wrote out a list of things he required of her, and insisted that she read them every day. Some … Continue reading →

Posted in Demands, love, Oppression, Spiritual Insight, Spirituality | 1 Comment

The high price we pay for prejudice

Posted on March 6, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

One sweltering summer’s day, the Cohen brothers showed Henry Ford a car, standing in the blazing heat, and invited him to test an invention they said would revolutionise the car industry. He got in, pressed a white button, and immediately … Continue reading →

Posted in Cost, Prejudice | Leave a comment

Chewing on the rope

Posted on March 6, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

A few years ago, a fishing boat began to sink in heavy seas off Vancouver Island. Its two-man crew abandoned ship and took refuge in a life raft. But then they realised that the life raft was tied to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Faith, Trust in God, Worry | Leave a comment

Don’t worry about what’s outside the space

Posted on March 6, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

I came across an interesting piece written by a man who was touring Italy and, as most tourists do, visited the magnificent cathedrals and admired the art treasures within them. At one such cathedral he found an artist kneeling before … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Accepting, Accomplishments, Achievement | Leave a comment

Piercing ourselves trough with many sorrows

Posted on March 6, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

CNN once carried a story of a sixty-two-year-old man, who was rushed to Cholet General Hospital in France, suffering stomach pain. His family told doctors the man had a history of mental illness and a penchant for swallowing coins, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Greed, Money | Leave a comment

The part of our wealth that brings the deepest joy

Posted on March 6, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

When the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited Los Angeles a few years ago, a physician named Gerald Jampolski heard her speak. He was attracted by the spiritual power that emanated from her, and asked her if it would alright … Continue reading →

Posted in Generosity, Generous spirit, Giving, God, Peace, Spiritual Insight | Leave a comment

The practice of thanksgiving is our most transforming resource.

Posted on February 19, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

In every generation the wisest people have known that the surest way to change one’s quality of life is to change the way we think. Our ability to change our outer environment may be limited, but the way it affects … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Gratitude, thankfulness, Transformation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Trouble is inevitable, but misery is optional

Posted on February 19, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

Abraham Lincoln is credited with the saying that ‘most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.’ Now, that may be an oversimplification, especially when we think of refugees fleeing from unimaginable horrors, or people … Continue reading →

Posted in Endurance, Faith, Faithfulness, God with us, God's faithfulness, God's love, Trials and testings, tribulation and trouble | Leave a comment

White-knuckle sailing

Posted on February 19, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

For me, one of life’s great pleasures is sailing, and I always hope for a steady ten to fifteen knot wind. Five to ten knots of wind is pleasant, less than five knots is boring; but the one thing I … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, God's presence, Tested, Trials and testings, Troubles | Leave a comment

What tides of grace flowed from that attic bedroom.

Posted on February 19, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

William Barclay tells the story of a servant-girl whose personal search for meaning in life resulted in a profound experience of the presence of God. But the demands of serving in a large house gave little freedom to do much … Continue reading →

Posted in Faithfulness, God in us, God's pleasure, Joy, Life, Life's journey | Leave a comment