Tag Archives: inspirational sayings

The holiest Holy Communion

Posted on March 22, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

James W. Moore of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston tells a story about one of his minister friends. His name is Tom and, despite a very heavy schedule, every month he would go to the homeless shelter in … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, God, God in us, God with us, Holy Communion, Jesus, Unworthiness, Worship | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

All sunlight makes a desert

Posted on March 20, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old Arab proverb that says: ‘All sunlight makes a desert.’ Most of us love the sunshine and find more than a day of rain and overcast skies quite depressing. But when the rain doesn’t come, the sunshine becomes … Continue reading →

Posted in Endurance, Faith, Life, Life's journey, Living Life, Tested, Trials and testings, tribulation and trouble | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Posted on March 20, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A little boy once told me that the word ‘Bible’ stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth – B.I.B.L.E. I thought that was a pretty good insight coming from a child. In fact it’s not all that different from something … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Enrichment, Scriptures, Spiritual comfort, Spiritual growth, Spiritual Insight | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Chosen people

Posted on March 12, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

I got a letter from an international credit card company recently telling me that because of my high status and salary they are offering me the opportunity to have their credit card. Well, as a retired clergyman, it’s strange they … Continue reading →

Posted in Called and Chosen, Faith, God, Life, Life's journey, Living simply | 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

Everything good begins in silence

Posted on February 26, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Most of us will do anything to avoid sitting alone and quietly confronting our own inner selves, which is why Pascal, the French philosopher, said: “All men’s miseries come from their inability to sit quietly and alone.” The Danish philosopher … Continue reading →

Posted in Boredom, Calmness, Contemplation, inner peace, Rush, Silence, Stillness | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The anchors of hope

Posted on February 12, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

In the ancient world the anchor was the symbol of hope.The Greek philosopher Epictetus said: ‘A ship should never depend on one anchor.’ The philosopher Pythagoras took this further when he said: ‘Wealth is a weak anchor; and fame is … Continue reading →

Posted in Anchor, Faith, fame, Hope, hope and love, love, Security, Spiritual Insight, wealth | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

God wants to take my picture

Posted on February 12, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Tony Campolo tells a story about a friend who has an adorable four-year-old daughter who, one night during a violent thunderstorm, was found, quite unpeturbed, standing on the windowsill, spread-eagled against the glass. As the lightning flashed and the thunder … Continue reading →

Posted in Childlike faith, children, Faith, Life, Life's journey, Storms of life | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Feeding the wolves

Posted on February 12, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A native American grandfather, talking to his grandson about the terrorist attack of September eleven, said: ‘I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is vengeful, angry and violent. The other one is loving … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Forgiveness, Hatred, Justice, Peace, Renewed Minds, Revenge, Terrorists | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Moving on

Posted on January 28, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

You may remember the story of Aaron Ralston who, a few years ago, while climbing in Utah, pushed his arm into a crack in the rock face and then got trapped by a large boulder. Everthing he tried failed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Endurance, Overcoming, Pain, Trials and testings, tribulation and trouble, Tried, Troubles | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment