Freedom Freedom is liberty within bounds: liberty to obey. ... True . . . liberty never sets us free to indulge our lusts or to follow our fallen impulses. (A. W. Tozer, 20th century pastor and author) On this 4th of July holiday, we celebrate the freedoms and...
Future Plans It is good to know where you came from. It is even better to know where you’re going. (Antonin Scalia, late justice of the U.S. Supreme Court) Scalia’s comments in a commencement address are most appropriate for graduates who are excited about having...
Government All government originates in families, and if neglected there, it will hardly exist in society . . . (Noah Webster, 18th & 19th century author) With so much criticism of government from all sides, we would do well to consider the significance of...
Positivity No one forces a person to be negative, and no one forces anyone to be positive. (Byron Pulsifer, motivational speaker and author) It’s difficult, isn’t it, to be around a person who always seems to have a negative attitude? On the other hand, it’s uplifting...
The vow of marriage is not one of unending happiness, but a vow of determined decision making. (Jeff Bogue, pastor) When we say “I do” at the altar, what are we committing ourselves to? Living with our companion in never-ending bliss and happiness? Like any other...
Blowing out someone’s candle doesn’t make yours shine any brighter. (Amber Teamann, elementary school principal) That sounds like a very good principle to teach elementary school children, who often display a “Me first” attitude. Unfortunately, it’s a lesson many...
Freedom is unsustainable without virtue. (John Stonestreet, worldview writer) Americans love their freedom. After all, that’s what the Revolutionary War was all about, wasn’t it? In reality, we have to constantly ask ourselves what freedom really means. Am I free to...
To be right requires being right not just in what you do and say but in the way you do and say things. (Paraphrased from Eric Metaxas, author) Sometimes we excuse our unkind actions or harsh words because what we are doing or saying is right and true. Metaxas’...
Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm. (Publilius Syrus, 1st century B.C. Latin writer) It doesn’t take a lot of skill or courage to guide a ship when there is no strong wind or high seas. But when the storms come, you really want a trained and experienced...
Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man. (Ben Franklin, early American statesman) Three important thoughts: 1) “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body” (Joseph Addison). 2) Meditate on [God’s Word) day and night so you...
The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. (Oscar Wilde, 19th century Irish poet and playwright) It’s said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Sometimes another phrase is added: “but heaven is full of good works.” Wilde...
Dare to reach your hand into the darkness to pull another hand into the light. (Norman Rice, former mayor of Seattle, Washington) Sometimes we are so afraid of being hurt or of endangering ourselves that we refuse to reach out to someone in need because he or she is...