Inspiration Shared By Lady Braids

Inspiration On 12/7/11

When you say your prayers, please remember
those who have served and are currently serving.

The Final Inspection

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I have not.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint. 

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough. 
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough. 

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep... 
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills just got too steep. 

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear... 
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears. 

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears. 

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand. 

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly, 
For the judgment of his God. 

'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well. 
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'

-- Author Unknown

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 09/20/11

Faith doesn't mean the absence of fear. It means having the energy
to go ahead, right alongside the fear.  (Sharon Salzberg) 

10 Inspirational True Story Movies 

1. Chariots of Fire - Values, courage, trust, open to possibilities.
2. Rudy - A dream, being present, always believing, stating your true desires.
3. Apollo 13 - Teamwork, trust, faith, creativity, courage, surrender.
4. Patch Adams - Purpose, compassion, spiritual connection, values.
5. Sound of Music - Love, values, family, courage, faith.
6. Running Brave - Determination, knowing self, believing in self.
7. Miracle Worker - Courage, purpose, determination, giving.
8. Stand and Deliver - Faith, friendship, open to possibilities, shifts.
9. Glory - Values, courage, spiritual connection.
10. Brian's Song - Friendship, courage, passions.

Inspiration On 09/01/11

New Collegiate Dictionary defines a polite person as someone
who is "marked by an appearance of consideration, tact,
deference, or courtesy."

The quality of politeness is one which seems to be disappearing
in our society. As I grew up, I was taught to say, "Yes, ma'am"
and "Yes, sir", terms not often heard by young people today.
Even the words "please" and "thank you" are not used as often
as they should be.

Some might say that politeness is a "small" thing, and it is, but
that doesn't mean it is insignificant. Politeness is a lot like salt --
you don't always pay attention to it when it is present, but it is
very obvious that something is lacking when it is absent.

Of all people, Christians should be most polite because politeness
is a characteristic of agape love.

"Remind the believers to....be ready to do good, to speak no evil
about anyone, to live in peace, and to be gentle and polite to all
people." (Titus 3:1-2, NCV)

"[Love] does not behave rudely." (I Cor. 13:5a)

Make an effort today to see that the love you show to others
around you includes the quality of politeness.

Have a great day!

 -- Alan Smith
     Helen Street Church of Christ, Fayetteville, NC

Inspiration On 08/30/11

1. "I'm sorry."
2. "I love you."
3. "Forgive me."
4. "You were right."
5. "Maybe mama was right."
6. "I'll just let it go."
7. "It's not really that important."
8. "It's just ego, I'm acting like a baby."
9. "Let me just calm down."
10."Let me look at it from their point of view."

These are ten things that may help us see a simple solution to
what has been looking like an overly complicated problem.

 -- Excerpted from the MountainWings original issue, "Stupid Fix."
     http://www.mountainwings.com

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 08/03/11

Honesty is not a mask for cruel insecurity. You can try to justify
a hurtful remark by saying, "I'm 'only' being honest," but you're
'only' fooling yourself. There is no justification for making fun
of someone's dreams, insulting their appearance or belittling
them in any way. Self-satisfaction at someone's expensive, is
not honest. It's cruel.

Honesty relies on integrity for support. You endeavor to do the
right things for the right reasons. You seek a rightness for
yourself without judging others. You strive to silence your
internal critic.

Insecurity, blind to its own faults, points them out in others.
Honesty sees them in itself and keeps its pointing finger in its
pocket.

There's a line between telling the truth and purposely hurting
someone. Honesty and integrity walk one side of the line.
Cruel insecurity, 'masked' as honesty, walks the other.

Which side of the line do you walk?

 -- Living in love and loving life,
     Terri McPherson

Inspiration On 05/26/11

 

Dishonesty, even in the smallest matter may severely damage a believer's
credibility. You never know how closely you are being watched.

A businessman was invited to speak to a men's Church group. His topic
was honesty in the workplace and he spoke very strongly and unwaveringly
on the topic.

The next morning, he boarded a city bus for the ride to work. He handed a
dollar bill to the driver and received some change, which he counted as he
proceeded down the aisle.

Before he reached his seat, he realized he had been given a dime too much.
His first thought was that the transit company would never miss it.
However, deep inside he knew he should return the money. So he went back
to the driver.

"You gave me too much change, sir."

To his amazement, the driver replied, "I know, a dime too much. I gave
it to you on purpose. Then I watched you in my mirror as you counted
your change. You see, I heard you speak yesterday, and if you had kept
the dime, I would have written you off and everything that you said."

We may be the only Bible some people ever read. Let's never forget that
people are watching us "count the change."

 -- from The Christian Challenge and Blessing Email Service.