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Volume 28, # 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 2012 |
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![inspiration, motivation, Apple Seeds, [Apple]](AppleSeeds-1c.jpg)
![inspiration, motivation, Apple Seeds, [Apple]](AppleSeeds-2c.jpg)
Plant these "seeds" well and water often. Enjoy!
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Teaching – Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Arthur Ward
"Teaching is more than imparting knowledge, it is inspiring change. Learning is more than absorbing facts, it is acquiring understanding."
Sense of the Beautiful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goethe
"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."
Act of Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled, p. 83
"By the use of the word ‘will’ I have attempted to transcend the distinction between desire and action. Desire is not necessarily translated into action. Will is desire of sufficient intensity that it is translated into action.…The desire to love is not itself love. Love is as love does. Love is an act of will – namely, both a intention and an action. Will also implies choice. We do not have to love. We choose to love."
Miracle of Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ulrich Schaffer, Surprised By Light
"I am not yearning for great miracles, but for the daily change, the almost imperceptible rebirth, the insignificant miracle of growth, which is greater than all others."
Solitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Archbishop Rembert Weakland, Walking on the Wings of the Wind
"Solitude is not loneliness, although both mean being alone. Solitude means being alone to oneself and to be alone with God. It means a lack of noise and distraction, but the inner silence does not lead to emptiness. It means time to listen, to recollect oneself, to let God’s presence take hold. It means time and quietude to think things out and not be propelled along without reflection. It means time to pray."
Moment of Commitment . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Robert Schuller, POSSIBILITES, Jan. ‘85
"Anyone who makes a commitment to do something wonderful is in that very moment a success. That is because in that moment of commitment, he is controlled by faith, not doubt.
In a moment when you are controlled by faith, you are generating internal enthusiasm. You are producing energy. Enthusiasm, energy and excitement mean a zestful and exciting life."
Walk in Awe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wilfred Peterson, Bits & Pieces, July 1986
"Walking uplifts the spirit. Breathe out the poisons of tension, stress, and worry; breathe in the power of God. Send forth little silent prayers of goodwill toward those you meet. Walk with a sense of being part of a vast universe. Consider the thousands of miles of earth beneath your feet; think of the limitless expanse of space above your head. Walk in awe, wonder and humility. Walk at all times of day – in the early morning when the world is just waking up; late at night under the stars; along a busy city street at noontime."
On Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
"Life is a promise; fulfill it."
Christmas Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIVING FAITH, Vol. 4, # 3
Meister Eckhart once said: "What good is it that Christ was born 2,000 years ago if he is not born now in your heart?’ Lord, we do far too much celebrating your actual coming in our hearts. I believe in God, but do I believe in God-in-me? I believe in God in heaven, but do I believe in God-on-earth? I believe in God out there, but do I believe in God-with-us?
Lord, be born in my heart. Come alive in me this Christmas! Amen."
A Better Way to Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Og Mandino, p. 80
"Rule Eight…Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have not time to accept a real challenge when it comes along. This applies to play as well as work. A day merely survived is no cause for celebration. You are not here to fritter away your precious hours when you have the ability to accomplish so much by making a slight change in your routine. No more busywork. No more hiding from success. Leave time, leave space, to grow. Now! Now! Not tomorrow!"
Talk – Listen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PULPIT HELPS, Jan.’92
"Talk and you say what you already know; listen and you learn something new."
On Persistence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calvin Coolidge
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than successful men with great talent.
Genius will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence, determination alone are omnipotent."
Search for Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goethe
"It is much easier to recognize error than to find truth; for error lies on the surface and may be overcome; but truth lies in the depths, and to search for it is not given to every one."
More in Us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kurt Hahn, founder, Outward Bound
"There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less."
Regrets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sidney J. Harris
"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable."
Truth and Parable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louis I. Newman, Maggidim & Hasidim, p. 136
A rabbi was once asked, "Why does a parable possess such great influence?"
The rabbi replied. "I will explain this by way of a parable: ‘Truth was accustomed to walk about as naked as Truth was born. No one allowed Truth to enter a home and everyone who encountered Truth ran away in fright.
‘Truth felt greatly embittered and could find no resting place. One day Truth beheld Parable attired in colorful, expensive garments. Parable inquired, "Why are you so dejected, my friend?"
‘Truth replied, "I am in a bad situation. I am old, very old, and no one cares to have anything to do with me."
‘"Not so," retorted Parable, "it is not because of your age that you are disliked by people. Look, I am as old as you are, and the older I grow, the more do I seem to be loved. Let me disclose to you the secret of my apparent popularity. People enjoy seeing everything dressed up and somewhat disguised. Let me lend to you some of my garments, and you will see that people will like you as well."
‘Truth followed this counsel and dressed in the garments of Parable. Ever since then, Truth and Parable have walked hand in hand, and everyone loves them both.’"
Christmas Is Contagious . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday Sermons, Millennium Ed. CD-ROM Collection, Voicing Publ.
"The joy of Christmas is contagious – but not primarily because of our gifts of dolls and trucks, bikes and pretty dresses, sweaters and ties…The joy of Christmas is contagious because of the spirit behind the gifts. The glory of Christmas is that a gracious God became one of us to tell us that He loves us. And, in his or her Christmas giving, the genuine believer symbolizes his or her inner desire to spread this Good News.
"Today we celebrate the Incarnation! Today we rejoice! The eternal God comes into the flesh and blood of humanity. Christmas cards portray the little Babe, the Manger, the Magi, the shepherds. Little children learn that today is Jesus’ birthday. But these pieces of the story only touch the edge of the mysterious event which brings us together. The Good News is that the God of Mercy has come into the history of humanity to bring us perfect peace. For the peace of mind and heart and soul that the world cannot give, follow Jesus. And when you follow Jesus, do not be surprised to see others following you. After all, the spirit of Christmas is contagious."
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