Showing posts with label quote. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quote. Show all posts
Friday, 1 July 2011
Friday, 10 June 2011
What Jesus Says About Me...
"I don't need to hear what others are saying about me;
I need to be regularly reminded of what JESUS says about me.
I am His and He is mine. His banner over me is love."
- Susie Larson (The Uncommon Woman)
Monday, 6 June 2011
Be Careful What You Think...
"Your thoughts are building your life - hourly, daily.
Your thoughts are what your destiny is."
- Unknown
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Simply Forgiveness...
I’m a bit slow in getting my 2010 Word List posts up and running, but I found some inspiration to prepare this post. My plans for my posts come from my friend Kimberly who will be posting every Monday, as will I. These weekly postings will include various meanings of the word, i.e. dictionary, lexicon, etc, verses, practical application and thoughts. This post contains some thoughts.
To err is human.
To forgive is divine.
~ Alexander Pope
Revenge is natural.
Forgiveness is supernatural.
~ Paul Carlin
These quotes befit not only the simplicity of forgiveness, but also the unnecessary complexity of it. As humans we make forgiveness complex. We hold onto grudges, we remind ourselves, and others, over and over of the wrongs they have done. We revisit the experiences like we revisit a favourite spot, thinking that it may bring us some kind of comfort and peace. But the exact opposite occurs. Revisiting the experience only dredges up the ill-feeling and pain from the past, making it impossible to move on.
This is where God’s simplicity comes into play to make the situation easy to remedy.
To err is human.
To forgive is divine.
~ Alexander Pope
Revenge is natural.
Forgiveness is supernatural.
~ Paul Carlin
These quotes befit not only the simplicity of forgiveness, but also the unnecessary complexity of it. As humans we make forgiveness complex. We hold onto grudges, we remind ourselves, and others, over and over of the wrongs they have done. We revisit the experiences like we revisit a favourite spot, thinking that it may bring us some kind of comfort and peace. But the exact opposite occurs. Revisiting the experience only dredges up the ill-feeling and pain from the past, making it impossible to move on.
This is where God’s simplicity comes into play to make the situation easy to remedy.
Simply forgiveness. Divine and supernatural forgiveness.
It makes sense really. Would you grab a knife and proceed to cut yourself in the same spot over and over? Letting the wound almost heal and then prising it open again only to have to watch and wait for it to try and heal again? No, of course you wouldn’t. Not forgiving someone, including you, is the exact same thing.
Pointless wounding of the spirit, that’s all it is. I am guilty of this, and not only by not forgiving others but by not forgiving myself. It was only last year that I realised by reading Liz Curtis Higgs’ book “Embrace Grace” that I was being ignorant of God and His greatness by not forgiving myself. I learnt that I don’t need to forgive myself as Jesus died on the cross for my forgiveness, but that I do have to forgive others.
Since reading this wisdom, I have left my ignorant thinking with Jesus at the foot of the cross, and I have forgiven those who have wronged me. And it has made such a difference in my life. I have, as I was told the other day, started to see life through Jesus’ eyes. I am starting to let the compassion I have for others help me to not only forgive others, but to share God’s love with people by just being the person God wants me to be. Someone who loves unconditionally cares and shows compassion...and most of all, forgives.
For more reading on this topic, please see my posts on forgiveness and also the source of the quotes on forgiveness above.
It makes sense really. Would you grab a knife and proceed to cut yourself in the same spot over and over? Letting the wound almost heal and then prising it open again only to have to watch and wait for it to try and heal again? No, of course you wouldn’t. Not forgiving someone, including you, is the exact same thing.
Pointless wounding of the spirit, that’s all it is. I am guilty of this, and not only by not forgiving others but by not forgiving myself. It was only last year that I realised by reading Liz Curtis Higgs’ book “Embrace Grace” that I was being ignorant of God and His greatness by not forgiving myself. I learnt that I don’t need to forgive myself as Jesus died on the cross for my forgiveness, but that I do have to forgive others.
Since reading this wisdom, I have left my ignorant thinking with Jesus at the foot of the cross, and I have forgiven those who have wronged me. And it has made such a difference in my life. I have, as I was told the other day, started to see life through Jesus’ eyes. I am starting to let the compassion I have for others help me to not only forgive others, but to share God’s love with people by just being the person God wants me to be. Someone who loves unconditionally cares and shows compassion...and most of all, forgives.
For more reading on this topic, please see my posts on forgiveness and also the source of the quotes on forgiveness above.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Freedom...
The inspiration for this photo art came from Christy's "quotable" post. Thanks Christy!
The inspiration for the quote came from the excitement of a new year, a new season, a new vision to behold, and (as my Facebook friends will know) new hair!
(Photo and quote © Paula C Whitehouse, 2010)
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
The Most Probable Explanation...
"If I find in myself a desire
which no experience in this world can satisfy,
the most probable explanation is that
I was made for another world."
- C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)
Monday, 22 September 2008
It's Reading Time...
Yes, two posts in one day! What is the world coming to? Well, Fall Into Reading 2008 has kicked off, and in addition to starting the Yes To God Tuesday study, I'm also going to do some serious reading!
My reading list includes the following books:
Behind Those Eyes by Lisa Whittle
Living Water by Brother Yun
Stories of Australia's Christian Heritage by Elizabeth Rogers Kotlowski
The Penny by Joyce Meyer
The Pocket Guide For Parents: Raising Godly Kids
To Own a Dragon by Donald Miller
Links to these books can be found in the right hand side bar. As I go along I dare say I will include more books, as my bedroom is more like a library than a place for sleeping! I love books, and would read and study from them all day if I could, but one must work!
I have only just returned to my love of reading over the last twelve months, as I found that when I had my daughter 4 and a half years ago, I just couldn't read. Apart from having a newborn child, then toddler, then little girl in my care, I just couldn't concentrate enough to read. This did upset me greatly as I love, and I mean LOVE reading.
My daughter also shares a love of reading (well, being read to at this point as she's only just learning how to read). I fed my love of buying books when she was little by buying her alot of books. When she was younger I'd read her a book once or twice and then she would recite it back, verbatim, to me.
I thought I'd follow Tiany's lead and include some quotes on reading also:
Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~Author Unknown
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charles W. Eliot
Let books be your dining table,
And you shall be full of delights
Let them be your mattress
And you shall sleep restful nights.
~Author Unknown
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Strength and Perseverance...
"Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance." - Samuel Johnson
I am not a strong person as far as physical strength goes, but I consider myself to be a strong person mentally when it comes to dealing with life's challenges. The only problem with that is that there is an element of weakness that creeps in and stops me from being all that I can, and should, be. This element is the nasty little words that the enemy invades my mind with in an attempt to steer me off God's course for me.
This is an ever increasing issue that I need to overcome so that I can function to my fullest capacity. I have been blessed with the discovery of Joyce Meyer's book "Battlefield of the Mind" where I have learnt techniques to help overcome this. I am also blessed by regular blog posts I come across from my sisters in Christ in cyberspace who share their experiences. And yes, as you may have already guessed, I am blessed with God's Word that I diligently read every day for strength and encouragement where I discover that through Him I can overcome anything!
I actually can't get enough of studying His Word, and I often feel saddened when I know that I have to stop my study and get on with life. But I need to get on with life so that I can serve Him better and as I should. I am a daughter of God first and foremost and then I am a mother. And strength and perseverance are two key elements that a mother needs, whether a solo parent like myself, or a married mum with kids.
Speaking of strength and perseverance, the mum of one of Jasmine's pre-school friends recently had a wee baby boy. He is a gorgeous little bundle and already very alert. I've been fortunate to be able to see him a few of times over the last week and it's reminded me of the strength and perseverance a mother requires with a newborn. Not only does this mum have to get to know her new son and meet his needs, but she also is responsible for the continued care of her elder son, who is 4, plus her husband. She joked this morning that it's like having three children in the house! I won't enter into that discussion being that I'm a solo parent with just one child at home!
The only way I know how to be strong and to persevere, be that as a mum or in general, is through faith in God. I know, and it's been proven, that I cannot do life without Him. Everything I have comes from Him, and He has a purpose for everything, including me, which is to strengthen me through perseverance, as strength alone will not achieve His ends; it's character that matters.
Romans 5:3-5 tells us that we are to "rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
These verses show that we have the answer right here with us in the Holy Spirit. James 1:3 reminds us "that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." And 2 Peter 1:6 tells us that perseverance leads to godliness. Given these things we can conclude that strength and perseverance has a round robin effect. Perseverance builds character, which builds hope, which builds faith, which builds godliness, which builds strength, which then builds our perseverance for when trials come our way. And all this comes from God through the Holy Spirit.
James 1:4 tells us that "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." It's a joyous feeling knowing that through all the hard times and through all the struggles that come our way that we can delight in the fact that all of this is working for the good of He who loves us. We will be favoured and not lacking in anything, but first we must become strong by persevering, hoping, having faith and calling on the Holy Spirit to strengthen us.
I am not a strong person as far as physical strength goes, but I consider myself to be a strong person mentally when it comes to dealing with life's challenges. The only problem with that is that there is an element of weakness that creeps in and stops me from being all that I can, and should, be. This element is the nasty little words that the enemy invades my mind with in an attempt to steer me off God's course for me.
This is an ever increasing issue that I need to overcome so that I can function to my fullest capacity. I have been blessed with the discovery of Joyce Meyer's book "Battlefield of the Mind" where I have learnt techniques to help overcome this. I am also blessed by regular blog posts I come across from my sisters in Christ in cyberspace who share their experiences. And yes, as you may have already guessed, I am blessed with God's Word that I diligently read every day for strength and encouragement where I discover that through Him I can overcome anything!
I actually can't get enough of studying His Word, and I often feel saddened when I know that I have to stop my study and get on with life. But I need to get on with life so that I can serve Him better and as I should. I am a daughter of God first and foremost and then I am a mother. And strength and perseverance are two key elements that a mother needs, whether a solo parent like myself, or a married mum with kids.
Speaking of strength and perseverance, the mum of one of Jasmine's pre-school friends recently had a wee baby boy. He is a gorgeous little bundle and already very alert. I've been fortunate to be able to see him a few of times over the last week and it's reminded me of the strength and perseverance a mother requires with a newborn. Not only does this mum have to get to know her new son and meet his needs, but she also is responsible for the continued care of her elder son, who is 4, plus her husband. She joked this morning that it's like having three children in the house! I won't enter into that discussion being that I'm a solo parent with just one child at home!
The only way I know how to be strong and to persevere, be that as a mum or in general, is through faith in God. I know, and it's been proven, that I cannot do life without Him. Everything I have comes from Him, and He has a purpose for everything, including me, which is to strengthen me through perseverance, as strength alone will not achieve His ends; it's character that matters.
Romans 5:3-5 tells us that we are to "rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
These verses show that we have the answer right here with us in the Holy Spirit. James 1:3 reminds us "that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." And 2 Peter 1:6 tells us that perseverance leads to godliness. Given these things we can conclude that strength and perseverance has a round robin effect. Perseverance builds character, which builds hope, which builds faith, which builds godliness, which builds strength, which then builds our perseverance for when trials come our way. And all this comes from God through the Holy Spirit.
James 1:4 tells us that "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." It's a joyous feeling knowing that through all the hard times and through all the struggles that come our way that we can delight in the fact that all of this is working for the good of He who loves us. We will be favoured and not lacking in anything, but first we must become strong by persevering, hoping, having faith and calling on the Holy Spirit to strengthen us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)