Inspiration Shared By Lady Braids

Inspiration On 1/27/12

An Oldie, But Goodie:  A Native American elder once described his
own inner struggles in this manner: "Inside of me there two dogs.
One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean
dog fights the good dog all the time." When asked which dog wins,
he reflected for a moment and replied, "The one I feed the most."

 -- Author Unknown

Inspiration On 12/13/11

It's not how much you accomplish in life
that really counts,
but how much you give to others.

It's not how high you build your dreams
that makes a difference,
but how high your faith can climb.

It's not how many goals you reach,
but how many lives you touch.

It's not who you know that matters,
but who you are inside.

Believe in the impossible,
hold tight to the incredible,
and live each day to its fullest potential.

You can make a difference in your world.

 -- Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Inspiration On 11/28/11

I'd rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example's always clear.

And the best of all preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it
if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons
by observing what you do.

For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.

 -- Edgar Guest

Inspiration On 10/24/11

Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never cease
to be righteous yourself.  We are always looking for justice, yet
the essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is - never
look for justice, but never cease to give it.

 -- Oswald Chambers 

 

Inspiration On 09/23/11

"Your task is to build a better world," God said.

I answered, "How?... this world is such a large, vast place, and
there's nothing I can do that seems to matter."

But God in all His wisdom said, "just build a better you."

 -- Author Unknown

Inspiration On 09/21/11

You always have the freedom to decide your own
attitude. There is no person, no law, no wall,
no prison, no labor, no circumstance that can
prevent you from exercising control over your
own mind.

Your circumstances do not control you. You
control you. The world around you is as good,
or as bad, as you decide to make it. You could
be born in a palace, and end up making nothing
of your life. Or you could grow up in a slum,
and rise to become a person of great
accomplishment.

You can be patient amid frustration. You can be
focused amid confusion. You can be disciplined
amid debauchery. You can be positive in the face
of despair and loving in the face of hatred. The
person you are inside, does not depend on the
things happening on the outside.

A life of success comes from remaining steadfast
to your own purpose and using, rather than being
consumed by, the whims of circumstance.

 -- Ralph Marston

Inspiration On 08/17/11

Did you know that you are like a pencil? Here's how:

1. Like a pencil, you can correct your mistakes. You can't
change the past, but you can rectify it. And though you
can't erase history, you can erase guilt and anger with
forgiveness.

2. Like a pencil, painful sharpening can serve to make you
better. Your difficult times can actually sharpen your
skills or shape you into the person you were meant to be.

3. Like a pencil, you can do great things when you allow
yourself to be held in Someone's hand.

4. Like a pencil, you can leave your mark whenever possible.
That is what you're here for -- to leave your mark. It may
be in small ways, it may be in the lives of people you have
touched or nurtured, but you must leave something good
behind whenever you can.

5. Like a pencil, it is what is on the inside that matters.
Whether it is understanding or intolerance, love or
bitterness, peace or unrest, kindness or self-centeredness,
hope or despair, courage or fear, what is on the inside
matters most.

Next time you use a pencil, pause and think about that
little writing tool. It teaches some great lessons about living.

 -- Steve Goodier

Inspiration On 08/15/11

 

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation,
because your character is what you really are, while your
reputation is merely what others think you are.

 -- John Wooden

 

Inspiration On 08/12/11

A young Christian professional interviewed for a position
in a thriving business once, and brought with him a top-notch
resume. In it, he listed many references, including his pastor,
his Bible study teacher, and a church deacon.

Unbeknownst to the young man, the business owner was also
a Christian. After he had studied the resume, he said, "Young
man, I appreciate these recommendations from people in your
church. However, what I would really like is a word of
recommendation from people who know you during the week
as well."

Oftentimes, the way people live their lives on Sunday is very
different when compared to the way they live their lives the
rest of the week. Often people act differently at church
than they do out in the real world. But the truth is, the
biblical truth we hear on Sunday should also be practiced
throughout the week! Worship should be a way of life...not
a weekly event.

As a follower of Christ, does your life look differently
during the week than it does at church on Sunday?

The old adage is true: "Actions speak louder than words."
Determine to live a consistent Christian life on Sunday
and every other day of the week!

 -- as seen in Daily Living For Seniors Via Cup O'Cheer

Inspiration On 08/10/11

Rich Johnson quips, "My mom always claimed to feel bad when a bird
would slam head-first into our living room window. If she REALLY felt
bad, though, she'd have moved the bird feeder outside."

We laugh, but what a great life lesson! If we feel badly enough about
something, we will change it. If we feel badly enough about a
behavior or an attitude, we will adopt a better behavior or a
healthier attitude. We CAN change!

You remember Charles Dickens immortal story "Christmas Carol." The
miserly Scrooge grows increasingly unconcerned with others and
isolated until, one night, he is invited by supernatural visitors to
change. The "Ghost of Christmas Past" takes him by the hand and shows
him how his life has unfolded and how his self-centered decisions
have led him to his present unhappy state. The "Ghost of Christmas
Present" takes the blindfolds off his narrow view of life so he can
clearly see how he has insulated himself from the struggles of
others. Finally, the "Ghost of Christmas Future" portrays to Scrooge
what is likely to happen if he persists along his present course. It
is an ugly sight.

Then...how does the story end? Scrooge wakes up. That's right -- he
WAKES UP! When he awakens from his slumber he also awakens to the way
things are. He wakes up and changes! We really CAN change.

And that's what change is -- waking up. Waking up to the fact the
things really CAN be different! We CAN change.

I like this prayer "with a twist":

God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change;
The courage to change the one I can;
And the wisdom to know that person is me.

 -- Steve Goodier