Worship Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts. (Max Lucado, pastor and author) As we begin this Christmas week, our thoughts often go to that wonderful; historic...
Giving You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. (Amy Carmichael, late missionary to India) It’s the giving season, and our mailboxes are full of pleas for financial help for innumerable worthy causes. Jesus said, “It’s better to give than...
Happiness [Happiness] is not determined by our circumstances but by our responses to them. (Source unknown) America’s first “First Lady,” Martha Washington put it this way, “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our...
Perspective It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe. (Muhammad Ali, late boxing champion) For some older readers, a prospective mountain hike might be intimidating, but Ali’s point is certainly true. It’s like the...
The Christmas Spirit The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. (Thomas S. Monson, late American religious leader) It’s just one week till Christmas! Has the Christmas spirit overtaken you yet? If so, how does it affect you?...
Kindness Kindness is like snow—it beautifies everything it covers. (Kahlil Giban, late Lebanese-American writer) It’s mid-December, so there might be snow where you are. If it’s fresh, as Giban says, it’s very likely to be beautiful. Unlike snow that may not be so...
Resilience Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit. (Bernard Williams, late English philosopher) During the difficult years of World War II, scientists were developing all kinds of materials that could be produced cheaply and be more resilient...
Stand If you won't stand for something, you will fall for anything. (Quote attributed to numerous sources) With the pressures of modern-day life, bombarded on all sides with political debates, tempting commercials, and suggestive media, it may be difficult to know...
Commitment Habit formation in golf [is] enhanced by solid teaching, devotion, commitment, and the encouragement of others. Make sure all these components are part of . . . your game of life. (Jim Sheard and Wally Armstrong, golf writers) Even in the early months of...
Growing Up As we grow up, we begin to see life in a different way. (Pastor Mike Lee) Lee continues: “Hopefully, we’ll learn what the world is really like and move away from childhood impressions. Maturity gives us a more balanced view of life and helps us to see how...
Influence When you are being kicked in the rear, it must mean you're in the front. (Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, 20th century TV spokesman) It hurts to be criticized or have someone put you down, doesn’t it? We’d rather have a little push forward, some helpful advice, or a...
Smiling It is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand. (Mother Teresa) Christmas is still two weeks away, but Mother Teresa’s advice is good not only for the next two weeks but all year long. This special holiday brings a lot of joy to...