Author Archives: vincentsmithauthor

Together forever

Posted on March 10, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A tragedy in 1959 is today the basis of a strange law in France. Following a major disaster President Charles de Gaulle passed a law that allowed a young woman to marry her fiancé who was one of those killed. … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaven, love, marriage | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

God forgives and forgets

Posted on March 10, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Some years ago, rumors spread that a certain Catholic woman was having visions of Jesus. Her archbishop was skeptical and said to her: ‘The next time you have a vision, I want you to ask Jesus to tell you the … Continue reading →

Posted in Confession, Forgiveness, God, Self Deception, Sin | Leave a comment

When you get a glimpse of heaven

Posted on March 10, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Lord Kenneth Clark, who created the famous TV series Civilization, said that once, while visiting a beautiful old church, he had an overwhelming religious experience. ‘My whole being,’ he said, ‘was irradiated by a kind of heavenly joy far more … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaven, Joy, Rejecting God, Spiritual blessing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

When you get to the top, there’s nothing there

Posted on March 10, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

When Boris Becker was at the top of the tennis world he actually contemplated suicide. He said, ‘I had won Wimbledon twice – once as the youngest player to do so. I was rich. I had all the material possessions … Continue reading →

Posted in Disappointed, emptiness, Faith, Futility, Life, Life's journey, Living Life, Meaninglessness, Success | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Helping us laugh again

Posted on February 26, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Researchers say that children laugh around four hundred times a day, whereas adults, on average, only laugh fifteen times a day. Why is this? Do we stop laughing because we are old, or do we get old because we stop … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheerfulness, Faith, Joy, Laughter | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

You’re on your own now, Buddy

Posted on February 26, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

They tell me that in America you can buy a St Christopher statue that can be wired up to your car’s odometer, and St Christopher, who is the patron saint of travellers, promises to look after you as you drive … Continue reading →

Posted in Sin, St Christopher, Temptation | Tagged | Leave a comment

Not escape, just quiet confidence

Posted on February 26, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

When I was very small the best feeling in the whole world was to lie in bed on a stormy night all tucked up snug and warm, listening to the wind howling outside. Most of us have memories like that. … Continue reading →

Posted in Confidence, Escape, Peace, Peaceful Sleep, quietness, Spiritual Insight, Stillness, Storms of life | Tagged | Leave a comment

My little red car

Posted on February 26, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

I remember the first time I saw my little red Renault 750, sitting in a used car lot. It was my first car and I fell in love with it. It didn’t go very fast and sounded like a chaff … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Disatisfaction, enjoyment, Envy | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Useless, but beautiful

Posted on February 26, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

The Chinese have a story about a carpenter and his apprentice resting in the shade of a huge, gnarled oak tree. ‘Do you know why this tree is so big and beautiful?’ the carpenter asked. The apprentice shook his head. … Continue reading →

Posted in Beauty, God's pleasure, Growth, Judgementalism, Transformation, Useless | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Spotting the one good thing amidst the failures

Posted on February 26, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Edward Steichen, one of the world’s most renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first pictures. At the age of sixteen he bought a camera and took fifty photos. Only one turned out – a portrait … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishments, Encouragement, Failure, Positive Thoughts, Seeing the possibilities | Tagged , , | Leave a comment