Inspirational Quotes #1

"A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do." -- Bob Dylan


Will Smith commenting on the movie, Seven Pounds:

"Well, the difference between depression and joy is purpose, right? That you have a reason beyond yourself to wake up in the morning. Somebody's life is going to be better because you woke up. And if you can find that purpose, that is the elixir for depression. That pushes you closer to joy. And, you know, this movie so revealed that to me."

[Source: TODAY, 31/12/2008, "How Will Smith ruined my year" by Genevieve Loh]


"it's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice". -- John Cassis

[Source: TODAY, 31/12/2008, "The importance of being nice" by Koh Poh Tiong]


"You've got to say, 'I think that if I keep working at this and I want it badly enough I can have it.' It's called perseverance." -- Lee J. Iacocca


"The idea behind One Foundation is simple: think big by thinking small. Starting in China, Li (Jet) has set out to raise one yuan (15 cents) from very person each month. He likens it to one big family helping each other out.

'All too often you see people expecting others to dip into their pockets,' he says. 'They blame their government. They say corporations with their big profits should be more generous. I believe helping each other starts with the individuals. It is everybody's responsibility to give. If everyone gives one yuan every month, it will add up to billions of dollars.'

[Source: page 42, Reader's Digest (January 2009), "The Power of One" by Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop]



"Why do people go to work? Because they're hungry. But that's not the reason Christians are to go to work. They are to work for the reason set forth in Ephesians 4:28, 'Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.'

In other words, you don't work for yourself; you go to work for the person next to you.

That's why you never have to get upset about your job or despise what you do in the workplace. After all, when you go to work, you're going there for someone else. You can therefore go through your workday, confident that Jesus will meet your needs as you labor to meet someone else's needs through your sowing."

[Source: page 49~50, "Excellence in Seed, Time and Harvest" by Robb Thompson]

Car-grooming

A famous person once said famously to the effect that going to a garage doesn't make one a car, much like going to church doesn't make one a Christian.

Well, I was attending a housegroup meeting last Friday when I received this revelation that we are like a car coming to the Presence of God for routine re-conditioning and fine-tuning, and much more besides, if need be!

A car can't enjoy a good sprint if its tyres are flabby. It's also not road-worthy if the gas tank is near empty or the brakes are faulty. The engine oil needs to be replenished and be rid of old skeletons in the carburettor. Time also to top-up with coolant for tempering the hot engine.

To look real nice, its body has to be washed regularly lest the dirt stick fast. Then, for that extra shine, it would be treated to a polish-and-wax makeover. And, finish off by vacuuming the car interior and boot, and grooming of the seats.

It sure feels good to drive a well-groomed car. Similarly, how pleasant it would be to meet someone who has been cleansed inside-out -- a temple of God the Holy Spirit.

Now is the time for us to put our house in order and put a smile on God's face. Selah.

Among Friends

It took a tiny Helen Exley giftbook (L:5.8cm; W:4.0cm; T:2.8cm) to load me up on the ins and outs of friendship over 368 pages. No mean feat for Ms Exley who has spent 15 years collecting quotes on friendship.

What I like best from this un-tome is the segment on how we can be free to be ourselves among friends. Here then is a highlight of her selected quotes for you to mull over:-

"A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Real friends are those who when you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel that you've done a permanent job." --H.M.E.

"Friend derives from a word meaning "free". A friend is someone who allows us space and freedom to be." --Debbie Alicen

"It is one of the blessing of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A friend is someone who knows all about you and love you all the same." --Author Unknown

I believe that the aforesaid insights are crucial for us to become a good friend to another person with application.

Buying Milk and Honey Without Money

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1 (KJV)

The above is an open invitation to treat from the LORD of all creation, and, best of all, it's FREE! There is River of Life flowing from the throne of God, and like any sensible tree which seeks to flourish, we reach out for the waters by staying rooted in Christ, and finding a place to be planted (e.g. vibrant local church)so as to tap a constant stream of refreshing waters to replenish our soul.

It's so good to know that God is no respecter of person; He is fair to all regardless of our financial circumstances as He does not exact any price or consideration.

Water is a basic requirement, but God offers us much more -- the wine and milk. Think of a merry (joyful) heart and all-round nourishment (plus strong teeth for solid food and strong bones for life's activities).

The word of God reveals to us that when we can be drunk with the Holy Spirit and the fundamentals of God's words are like milk (for spiritual babes). Then, there is solid food for the young men and fathers, but that's another story.

Well, if ever there is a good deal, this is ONE not to be missed!