From Me

Heard Anne Lamotte say today (on NPR) that God's job is to help us. I know what she was trying to say, but it just sat a little odd on me. He is so awesome and mysterious. I don't want to ever start thinking of Him as a short-order cook in my problem cafe. - Carolyn Evaine Counterman

Compassion

The value of compassion cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone can criticize. It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands.

-- Arthur H. Stainback

God's Canvas

We must offer ourselves to God like a clean, smooth canvas and not worry ourselves about what God may choose to paint on it, but at each moment, feel only the stroke of His brush.

      -- Jean Pierre de Caussade

Answering Prayer

God usually answers our prayers so much more according to the measure of His own magnificence, than of our asking, that we do not recognize His benefits to be those for which we sought Him.

-- Coventry Patmore

Faith

Till men have faith in Christ, their best services are but glorious sins.
      -- Thomas Brooks

The Bible

The vigor of our spiritual life will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our life and thoughts.

      -- George Müller

Comfort

God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.
-- J. H. Jowett

Led By The Spirit

When led by the Spirit, the child of God must be as ready to wait as to go, as prepared to be silent as to speak.

-- Lewis Sperry Chafer

Being Mocked

There are times when being mocked is the evidence of a courageous stand. But in other cases, being mocked may be more illusory than real. It may arise from a season of negative inwardness -- a dour focus on ourselves.

-- Calvin Miller

Respect

Without respect, love cannot go far or rise high: it is an angel with but one wing.

      -- Alexander Dumas

Two Homes

Make two homes for yourself my daughter. One actual home and another spiritual home, which you carry with you always.

      -- Catherine of Siena

Stranger In This World

Keep yourself as a pilgrim and a stranger here in this world, as one to whom the world's business counts but little. Keep your heart free, and always lift it up to God.

      -- Thomas à Kempis

Politeness

Politeness is the blossom of our humanity.
      -- Joubert

Generic Prayer

I don't actually know how long I have been carrying this "prayer" around with me. 20+ years at least, because I think I got it in high school. It has graced many bulletin boards between then and now. It always makes me laugh, so I thought I would share.

Solitude

Who sits in solitude and is quiet has escaped from three wars: hearing, speaking, seeing; yet against one thing shall he continually battle: that is, his own heart.

     -- St. Antony