Tag Archives: anxiety

The Becalmed Oasis

Posted on December 18, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

John Hopkins University in Baltimore, in a study of the effects of prayer sessions among black women with breast cancer, concluded that there is evidence that the meditative states produced by group prayer sessions are a natural part of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Peace, Prayer, Tranquility, Transformation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Comfort through a cat

Posted on December 15, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

At the Steer House Nursing Home in Providence, Rhode Island, a cat named Oscar provides a unique service to the residents of the dementia unit. He makes regular rounds, hopping onto patients’ beds, purring and snuggling up to people before … Continue reading →

Posted in Cat, Death, Eternity, Faith, Fear, Healing, Heaven, Hope, Hope of Glory, Spiritual comfort | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Not Alone

Posted on November 13, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

A few years ago, best selling writer Philip Yancey wrote these words: ‘For all its faults and failures, the church offers a place to bring wounds and to seek meaning in times of brokenness and struggle. Visiting them I heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Faith, Mystery, Prayer, Spiritual growth, Spiritual Insight, Strength, Troubles | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Keep calm and eat strawberries

Posted on October 23, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old story about a monk fleeing from a hungry tiger. He comes to the edge of a cliff and begins to climb down a vine, out of the tiger’s reach. But then, to his dismay, he sees another … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Calmness, Danger, Faith, Fear, Life, Life's journey | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Calculated risk takers

Posted on October 8, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

A few years ago Cornell University conducted a survey of a wide range of people to find out what people most regret. They discovered that twice as many people were bothered more by what they did not do rather than … Continue reading →

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Fool’s cap

Posted on October 6, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old story about a King who appointed a new court jester and was so pleased with him that he gave him a special fool’s cap to wear as a symbol of his ability.The king told him to wear … Continue reading →

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

Hope springs eternal

Posted on October 6, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Alexander Pope wrote: “Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always to be blessed.” But where does man turn when hope dries up? The director of a medical clinic told of a young man who was … Continue reading →

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You can’t turn the clock back

Posted on September 24, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Police in Idaho a few years ago received a number of calls from residents of a certain neighbourhood about a car that was being driven round their streets in reverse. They went to investigate and found the car just as … Continue reading →

Posted in Forgiveness, Futility, Guilt, Judgement | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Oysters and eagles

Posted on September 24, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Morris Mandel, commenting on our very human desire for security, said: ‘When God made the oyster, he guaranteed his absolute economic and social security. He built the oyster a house, his shell, to shelter and protect him from his enemies. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aspiration, Comfort Zone, Life's journey, Living Life, Love of the easy way, Purpose in life, Self Image, Trials and testings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Not perfect; just forgiven.

Posted on September 24, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Watchman Nee, one of the best known leaders of the secret underground church in China during the great persecutions of Mao Tse Tung, told about a new convert who came in deep distress to see him. ‘No matter how much … Continue reading →

Posted in Childlike faith, Children of God, Doubt, Forgiveness, Grace, Heirs of God, Kingdom of God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment