Author Archives: vincentsmithauthor

Religion and War

Posted on March 24, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

It’s often claimed that if we could rid the world of religion we’d rid the world of war. Well, the past century has certainly demonstrated the naivety of that idea. The Twentieth Century produced something totally new in human history … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Discernment, Hatred, Injustice, Power over People, Religion, Self Deception, Spiritual discernment, True and False Religion, War, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A little silver changes everything

Posted on March 6, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old Jewish story about a rich man who went to see a rabbi because he couldn’t understand why he always felt so unhappy even though he was wealthy. The rabbi took him to a window and asked him … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Compassion, Discernment, emptiness, Life's journey, Living Life, Money, Riches, Self Deception, Spiritual blindness, Spiritual discernment, Spiritual Insight, Unselfishness, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Perils of Success

Posted on March 6, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

According to ancient legend, the Persian emperor Xerxes, returning home aboard a ship filled with his soldiers, ran into a terrible storm. The ship’s Phoenician captain told Xerxes there was no hope of them surviving unless the ship’s load was … Continue reading →

Posted in Good deeds, Good Name, Injustice, Justice, Power, Soldiers, Success, tribulation and trouble, Uncertainty of Life | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Smouldering disobedience

Posted on March 6, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Norman Vincent Peale, author of the Power of Positive Thinking, tells how as a young boy he found a cigar behind his house, lit it up and puffed away, not enjoying it but feeling very grown up. Then, to his … Continue reading →

Posted in Disobedience, Forbidden Fruit, Prayer, Sin, Spiritual blindness, Spiritual Insight, Truthfulness | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A butterfly called hope

Posted on March 6, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

The ancient Greeks had a story about a beautiful girl named Pandora, who married Epimetheus. One day Mercury, the messenger, sent them a box. It was for them to enjoy but they were not to open it. Well, of course, … Continue reading →

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MBA

Posted on March 6, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s a fast food chain in America called Wendy’s. Its founder was Dave Thomas, a self-made millionaire who worked for Kentucky Fried Chicken before going off on his own and starting Wendy’s. Dave said the secret of his success was … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Generous spirit, Grace, Inspirational, Jesus, Life's journey, Living Life, Servant leadership, Spiritual Insight, Success, Unselfishness | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

True Greatness

Posted on March 2, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

One of the few American Presidents I, as a non-American, instantly warmed to was Jimmy Carter. History seems to have written him off as a bit of a failure, yet for years after we’d hear about him, quietly popping up … Continue reading →

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Signs of civilization

Posted on March 2, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

The famous anthropologist Margaret Mead was once asked: what was the earliest sign of civilization in any given culture? Her answer was: “a healed femur.” The femur, of course, is the leg bone below the knee. Mead explained that no … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts of Kindness, Civilization, Compassion, Generous spirit, God, Healing, Inspirational, Law of Jungle, Life's journey, Loneliness, Mercy, relationships, Spiritual Insight, Spirituality, supportive community, Survival of Fittest, Sympathy and Support, tribulation and trouble, Uncertainty of Life, Unselfishness | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The wonder that never goes away

Posted on March 2, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

When the first astronauts landed on the Moon, people all over the world people stopped work to witness one of the greatest achievements in human history. But not too many stayed home to watch the second time it happened. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Awareness, God, Inspiration, Knowing God, Life's journey, Living Life, satisfaction, Senses, Spiritual Insight, supreme being, Wisdom, Wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The weakness of God

Posted on March 2, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi Propagandist, used to refer to Mahatma Gandhi as a fool and a fanatic, because he didn’t have the sense to build a military organization. Goebbels was certain that Gandhi, who was deeply influenced by Christ’s Sermon … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Awareness, Foolishness, God, Hatred, hope and love, Jesus, Life's journey, Power, Power over People, Respect, Spiritual blindness, Spiritual Darkness, Spiritual Insight, Strength, Weakness, Winning | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment