Preconceived notions are the locks on the door to wisdom. (Merry Browne, late athlete) “Don’t confuse me with the facts; I’ve already made up my mind,” we joke. But it’s no joke. Our prejudices and biases often pre-determine what we think before we consider the...
A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver. (Thomas A. Kempis, 14th-15th century churchman) Whether it’s Christmas, your birthday, Valentine’s Day, or a surprise, everyone likes to receive gifts. With children it’s the gift that...
Freedom without moral commitment is aimless and promptly self-destructive. (John W. Gardner, late government official) Some people seem to think that freedom means they can do whatever they want to do whenever they feel like it and wherever they may be at the time. We...
It is the best and truest friend who honestly tells us the truth about ourselves even when he knows we shall not like it. (R. C. H. Lenski, scholar and author) It’s tough to be corrected or criticized, isn’t it? Even when the criticism is right or we need to be...
Gratitude can be a vaccine that can prevent the invasion of a disgruntled attitude. (Clinton C. Cox, late preacher) A lot of people seem to be unhappy, down-hearted and negative much the time. Why is that? Are their circumstances really that different from the rest of...
Your Character is what God knows you to be. Your Reputation is what men think you are. ( William Hershey Davis, 20th century Greek scholar) Everyone likes to be well thought of. We all want to have a good reputation, and that’s important. But character, ultimately,...
Stick with the optimists. It’s going to be tough enough even if they’re right. (James Reston, 20th century journalist) The pessimist fears the worst. If things turn out that way, he can say he was right. If they don’t, he’s happy because things are better than he...
Prayer is the most aggressive, offensive, pro-active, invasive work you can ever engage in. (Jennifer Kennedy Dean, author and speaker) Is prayer a last resort for you when nothing else seems to work? Or is it the repetition of memorized liturgy that can be spoken...
Before trying to keep up with the Joneses, be sure they're not trying to keep up with you. (Erma Bombeck, late humorist) Keeping up with the Joneses is like a game, isn’t it? It doesn’t often work, and even when it does, it rarely satisfies. It’s not just keeping up,...
Faith is a living and unshakable confidence; a belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake. (Martin Luther) The important thing about faith is not how much you have or how often you claim it. The critical issue is in what or whom you...
He who holds his tongue is wise. (The Bible) We would all agree, no doubt, that this is easier said than done. How often have you wished you hadn’t said something? Or, at least you hadn’t said it in anger or accusation? The man or woman who can control the tongue is...
Every job is a self portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence. (Anonymous) The old proverb says, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” Whatever we set our hand to do should be worthy of our best effort. The quality of our work...