“If I get on these other subjects, it divides the audience on an issue that is not the issue I’m promoting; I’m just promoting the Gospel.” Billy Graham, when asked his position on a political topic prior to his final New York City crusade“How many of you do not regularly attend church," asked Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Billy Graham) as she opened her talk on her new book, "but were invited here by a friend?" Only a couple of hands went up. I got the feeling she was hoping for an opportunity to share the gospel (Hebrew for ‘good news’) with those who didn’t yet know God’s Son, Jesus. It became clear to me at this, and other, conferences I've attended where Anne was the keynote speaker, her primary goal was not to merely be a public speaker, but to take every opportunity to speak to groups of people where she could change lives by sharing the good news of Jesus’ love for them.
Do you have a clear goal in life that influences all your decisions and activities? Are you looking for those small ways that you can make progress toward your life goal in your daily or weekly schedule? How will you alter your life and schedule to include meaningful progress toward your goal? (*) Lord, help me stay true to my life purpose and proceed with integrity toward my goal…Your ‘great commission.’ Amen “Then Jesus said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you; and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20 What are your thoughts? Libby
(*) If you are seeking a meaningful goal for your life and desire a relationship with God’s Son, Jesus, you can easily gain that by praying this simple prayer with a sincere heart.
God, I don’t fully understand all about you or your son Jesus, but I want to. I give up trying to fill my life with just good things without a real purpose or clear goal. I want my life to matter but I feel like life just goes on each day without intentional direction. I need your help to have a purpose-filled life and a worthy goal. Please forgive me for my past mistakes, and be my Friend, my Guide, and my Lord. Amen If you just prayed this prayer, please feel free to share your thoughts and questions with me. Libby
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“Infantile love follows the principle: I love because I am loved. Mature love follows the principle: I am loved because I love.” Erich Fromm
About two years later someone observed, “Libby, you look far away. Where are you?” I smiled in reply, “Oh, I was just thinking back over the day.” Our singles group had just spent a full day scraping, patching, and painting an old Victorian home that housed homeless boys in an inner-city ministry in the Watts area of Los Angeles.
Have you ever wished that people would get to know you and love for who you are? Was there a time when you were merely ‘looking’ for love? What can you do to take the opportunity to serve others, and find yourself the recipient of love?
Lord, thank You for filling me with joy as I poured my energy into serving others even when it was challenging and a stretch of my endurance. Amen “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us…we love because He first loved us.” I John 4:10a, 19 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Erich Fromm (1900-1980), a German-American social psychologist, psychoanalyst, and one of the founders of The William Allison White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis and Psychology in New York City. “How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees?” Shakespeare
Patience isn’t my strong suit. But, when I considered how long it took to go from young and healthy to older and out of shape, I decided to give the reverse process some time to make a difference. When I finally had my tests, my doctor was pleased that I lowered my levels. And I was pleased that my changes worked. Are you facing a change that you’d like to get over with? Would you prefer the ‘Just Do It’ mode, rather than wait for results? What will you do differently today to improve your patience-quota? Lord, thank You for this miracle of a body than can heal with maintenance, unlike my house and car that sometimes need replacement parts. Amen “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
“If we find nothing of interest where we are, we are likely to find little of lasting interest where we wish to go.” Edwin Way Teale“Running away is rarely a good idea, which is why I prefer to call this an adventure.” They say write about what you know. Well, this is the opening line in the novel I'm writing. I once ran away. I moved from the area where I was born and raised to get away from something, rather than go to something. I left my home, family, friends—who were my support system in time of trouble, and moved to a place where my closest friend was a 90 minute drive.
I eventually found the peace I was looking for, but not in my new community, neighbors, co-workers, or local politics. I found peace only from my personal quiet time with God. When I allowed his grace and mercy to wash over me, like a spring rain before the trees blossom, I felt light and worry free. I was able to face the problems of the world and the community around me without fear or dread.
”Keep your life free from love of money (things you think you need), and be content with what you have…” “…contentment is great gain.” Hebrews 13:5, I Timothy 6:6b
What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Edwin Way Teale (1899-1980), an American naturalist, photographer, and writer; whose works serve as primary source material documenting environmental conditions from 1930 to 1980, best known for his series The American Seasons, four books documenting over 75,000 miles of roads across North America following the changing seasons. |
WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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