"We lop away that bearing boughs may live.” Shakespeare When I was a child I thought dogs were daddies and cats were mommies. Then a dog on our street had puppies. When I was 15 I thought my friends were enlightened and my parents knew nothing. Then I grew up. In my 20’s I criticized management, “They make their decisions from some conference room, but they know nothing about the real work we do.” Then I was promoted to supervisor. Before I knew God I called religion “a crutch” for those who couldn’t handle life on their own. Then I met Jesus. William Blake once said, “The man who never changes his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.”
How many of my old ideas are in need of pruning? (“I can’t…,” “I’m not good enough…”) Which of my former opinions have grown stagnant? (“I had a difficult childhood…,” “I’m too old to change now…”) Do you have old ideas that have outlived their usefulness? Are you ready to ‘lop off’ the dead wood and replace your opinions with ones that bring about new growth? What will you do to formulate new ideas and opinions? Lord, thank You for challenging my stale ideas and misplaced opinions; help me replace them with the fresh truth from Your word that inspires growth. Amen Note: Shakespeare (1564-1616), an English playwright, poet and actor; widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist…often called England’s national poet and the “Bard of Avon.” His works include 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems.
Note: William Blake (1757-1827), an English poet, painter and printmaker largely unrecognized during his life, yet now is considered a seminal figure in the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age. His prophetic works were said to form “what is in proportion to its merits, the least read body of poetry in the English language.” Some of his best known works are Milton, Jerusalem and Songs of Innocence and of Experience.
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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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