Inspiration Shared By Lady Braids

Inspiration On 1/5/12

Often in life we make no time to listen. Really
listening to our partners or our children requires
us to move away from the human nature of
"what about me".

Listening and understanding other people helps
in our inner journey of self understanding. I have
found that the time spent making other peoples'
dreams spring to life has been the most rewarding
experience for my own personal growth.

Too often we get locked away in the I syndrome.
I did this, I done that, I am important,
I ... ,
I ... ,
I ... ,

We all need to feel important and loved - that is one
our strongest human passions. I find true importance
in listening and helping others. Try some today, you
will be pleasantly rewarded.

 -- © John Ahern

Inspiration On 1/3/12

Because I have received kindness,
I have been spurred on to be kind.

Because I have caught the smile on another's lips,
I have found myself smiling.

Because I have known the joy of receiving,
I rejoice in giving.

Because I have felt pain,
I know what pity is.

Because I have tasted humiliations,
I know what consideration is.

Because I have seen Christ suffer,
I have had the courage to go on.

 -- Sister Mary Gemma Brunke

Inspiration On 11/17/11

Easy is to judge the mistakes of others.
Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes.

Easy is to talk without thinking.
Difficult is to refrain the tongue.

Easy is to hurt someone who loves us.
Difficult is to heal the wound.

Easy is to set rules.
Difficult is to follow them.

Easy is to dream every night.
Difficult is to fight for a dream.

Easy is to show victory.
Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity.

Easy is to pray every night.
Difficult is to find God in small things.

Easy is to say we love.
Difficult is to show it every day.

Easy is to make mistakes.
Difficult is to learn from them.

Easy is to weep for a lost love.
Difficult is to take care of it so not to lose it.

Easy is to think about improving.
Difficult is to stop thinking it and put it into action.

Easy is to think bad of others.
Difficult is to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Easy is to receive.
Difficult is to give.

Easy is keep the friendship with words.
Difficult is to keep it with meanings.

Easy is to read this.
Difficult is to follow its message.

  -- 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 10/04/11

Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing,
to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done
against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and
when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home
in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel
to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of
calmness… when all around and above is trouble.

 -- Andrew Murray

Inspiration On 10/03/11

* Note from Linnda: I love this quote, but I
  substitute "God" for "the Universe".

Giving tells *the Universe that you believe you
are provided for. For even as you empty your purse,
you fear not. The act alone is a demonstration of
faith that you will remain whole, that your coffers
will be replenished, and that love is what matters
most. And for whomsoever believes these things to
be true, it shall become their reality, and abundance
shall be showered upon them unceasingly, as if the
heavens had opened up.

 -- Mike Dooley

Inspiration On 09/28/11

We all have the drum major instinct. We all want to be important,
to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade. ...And
the great issue of life is to harness the drum major instinct. It is a
good instinct if you don't distort it and pervert it.

Don't give it up. Keep feeling the need for being important. Keep
feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in
love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you
to be the first in generosity.

 -- Dr Martin Luther King Jr  

Inspiration On 09/22/11

In the movie Karate Kid, young Daniel asks Mister Miagi to teach him
karate. Miagi agrees under one condition: Daniel must submit totally to
his instruction and never question his methods.

Daniel shows up the next day eager to learn. To his chagrin, Mister
Miagi has him paint a fence. Miagi demonstrates the precise motion for
the job: up and down, up and down. Daniel takes days to finish the job.
Next, Miagi has him scrub the deck using a prescribed stroke. Again the
job takes days. Daniel wonders, What does this have to do with Karate?
but he says nothing.

Next, Miagi tells Daniel to wash and wax three weather-beaten cars and
again prescribes the motion. Finally, Daniel reaches his limit: "I
thought you were going to teach me karate, but all you have done is have
me do your unwanted chores!"

Daniel has broken Miagi's one condition, and the old man's face pulses
with anger. "I have been teaching you karate! Defend yourself!"

Miagi thrusts his arm at Daniel, who instinctively defends himself with
an arm motion exactly like that used on one of his chores. Miagi
unleashes a vicious kick, and again Daniel successfully defends himself
from several more blows. Miagi simply walks away, leaving Daniel to
discover what the master had known all along: skill comes from repeating
the correct but seemingly mundane actions.

The same is true of godliness.

 -- By Duke Winster

Inspiration On 09/05/11

When kindness comes through grudgingly, we’ll remember
God’s kindness to us and ask Him to make us more kind.

When patience is scarce, we’ll thank Him for His and ask
Him to make us more patient.

When it’s hard to forgive, we won’t list all the times we’ve
been given grief. Rather, we’ll list all the times we’ve been
given grace and pray to become more forgiving.

Lord, teach me what you want me to do, and I will live by
your truth. (Psalm 86:11)

 -- Max Lucado

 

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