the difference between strength and courage...

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRENGTH AND COURAGE

 

It takes strength to be firm.

It takes courage to be gentle.

 

It takes strength to stand guard.

It takes courage to let down your guard.

 

It takes strength to conquer

It takes courage to surrender.

 

It takes strength to be certain.

It takes courage to have doubt.

 

It takes strength to fit in.

It takes courage to stand out.

 

It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.

It takes courage to feel your own pain.

 

It takes strength to hide feelings.

It takes courage to show them.

 

It takes strength to endure abuse.

It takes courage to stop it.

 

It takes strength to stand alone.

It takes courage to lean on another.

 

It takes strength to love.

It takes courage to be loved.

 

It takes strength to survive.

It takes courage to live.

 

"....as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and of good courage...." (Joshua 1:5b-6a)

 

-- Author Unknown

parable of the pencil....

PARABLE OF THE PENCIL

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

-- Author Unknown

Be Thankful....

BE THANKFUL...

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
  If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,
  for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
  During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
  because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
  because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
  They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
  because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

this old tent

When I looked upon the days gone past,
I’d thought this tent was built to last.
For I’d stood it on some rocky ground
Where stormy winds couldn’t beat it down.

And with my pride and my own hand,
I put my tent on shifting sand
Where pegs pulled loose and my tent did shake,
But I was young and I could take
The unstable world that I was in
I’d just up and move again.

So for many years I went this route,
Shifting this old tent about.
Till one cold day when my mind grew clear,
This tent had an end and it might draw near.

So with much fear (such a heavy load)
I looked for the One who had made this abode.
Yes, the Tentmaker, He’d surely know
Where one such rotting tent should go
To have this canvas revitalized,
To have these poles and pegs re‐sized.

I went to Him on bended knees
Begging Him, “Oh tentmaker please!
Restore this tent I thought would last,
This canvas house that went so fast.”

He looked at me through loving eyes
And merely pointed to the skies.
“Please do not grieve over some old tent,
Old canvas walls that have been spent.
For this mansion that’s been built by Me
Will last you for eternity.”

taking time.....

Therefore , why not slow down and practice patience,
as well as, take time to enjoy the simple things in life like just::

TAKING TIME
Take time to think...It is the source of
power.

Take time to play...It is the secret of
perpetual youth.

Take time to read...It is the fountain of
wisdom.

Take time to pray...It is the greatest power
on Earth.

Take time to love and be loved...It is a God-
given privilege.

Take time to be friendly...It is the road to
happiness.

Take time to laugh...It is the music of the
soul.

Take time to give...It is too short a day to be
selfish.

Take time to work...It is the price of
success.

Take time to do charity...It is the key to
Heaven.
Author Unknown