“
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want for nothing. He makes me lie down in the green pastures. He greases up my head with oil. He gives me kung-fu in the face of my enemies. Amen
”
”
Stephen King (The Stand)
“
Turn around and believe that the good news that we are loved is better than we ever dared hope, and that to believe in that good news, to live out of it and toward it, to be in love with that good news, is of all glad things in this world the gladdest thing of all. Amen, and come Lord Jesus.
”
”
Frederick Buechner (The Clown in the Belfry: Writings on Faith and Fiction)
“
I was giving up. I would have given up - if a voice hadn't made itself heard in my heart. The voice said "I will not die. I refuse it. I will make it through this nightmare. I will beat the odds, as great as they are. I have survived so far, miraculously. Now I will turn miracle into routine. The amazing will be seen everyday. I will put in all the hard work necessary. Yes, so long as God is with me, I will not die. Amen.
”
”
Yann Martel (Life of Pi)
“
...there are four rules for miraculous work creation: Be positive. Send love. Have fun. Kick ass.
Amen.
”
”
Marianne Williamson (The Law of Divine Compensation: On Work, Money, and Miracles)
“
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!
”
”
Billy Graham
“
Love works magic.
It is the final purpose
of the world story,
the Amen of the universe.
”
”
Novalis
“
So let us then try to climb the mountain, not by stepping on what is below us, but to pull us up at what is above us, for my part at the stars; amen.
”
”
M.C. Escher
“
Spending time with people without ambition is a self-destruction.
”
”
Amen Muffler
“
Life is complicated until complications don't grace it amid amenable aura.
”
”
Akshmala Sharma (Prism of Nature)
“
Dear God, give bread to those who are hungry and a hunger and thirst for justice to those who have plenty. Amen.
”
”
Benedictine prayer
“
Uncompromising trust in the love of God inspires us to thank God for the spiritual darkness that envelops us, for the loss of income, for the nagging arthritis that is so painful, and to pray from the heart, “Abba, into your hands I entrust my body, mind, and spirit and this entire day—morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Whatever you want of me, I want of me, falling into you and trusting in you in the midst of my life. Into your heart I entrust my heart, feeble, distracted, insecure, uncertain. Abba, unto you I abandon myself in Jesus our Lord. Amen.
”
”
Brennan Manning (Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin's Path to God)
“
They might make you feel you are useless or incomplete. Don't let it affect you. Keep calm and let your future prove that they were wrong.
”
”
Amen Muffler
“
I know that a stranger's hand will write to me next, to say that the good and faithful servant has been called at length into the joy of his Lord. And why weep for this? No fear of death will darken St. John's last hour: his mind will be unclouded; his heart will be undaunted; his hope will be sure; his faith steadfast. His own words are a pledge of this: “My Master,” he says, “has forewarned me. Daily he announces more distinctly, ‘Surely I come quickly!’ and hourly I more eagerly respond, ‘Amen; even so come, Lord Jesus!
”
”
Charlotte Brontë (Jane Eyre)
“
His life is an example. I pray that God will heal Jim’s body. But until he does, God is using Jim to inspire people like me. God will do the same with you. He will use your struggle to change others.
”
”
Max Lucado (Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer)
“
Falconi said, "Hey, Gregorovich, you're in fine form. How about a few words to send us on our way?"
The ship pretended to clear his throat. "Fine. Here me now. The Lord of Empty Spaces protect us as we venture forth to fight our foes. Guide our hands - and our thoughts - and guide our weapons that we may work our will upon these perversions of peace. Let daring be our shield and righteous fury be our sword, and may our enemies flee at the sight of those that defend the defenseless, and may we stand unbowed and unbroken in the face of evil. Today is the Day of Wrath, and we are the instruments of our species' retribution. Deo duce, ferro comitante. Amen."
"Amen," said Hwa-jung and Nielsen.
"Now that. was a prayer!" said Sparrow, grinning.
”
”
Christopher Paolini (To Sleep in a Sea of Stars (Fractalverse, #1))
“
The Prayer Appointed for the Week O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration I may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.†
”
”
Phyllis Tickle (The Divine Hours (Volume One): Prayers for Summertime: A Manual for Prayer)
“
Almighty God unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no Secrets are hid: clense the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy holy spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnifie thy holy Name through Christ our Lord. Amen.
”
”
The Church of England (The Book of Common Prayer (Prayer Book))
“
O Lord, thy will be done in my life as it is written in Heaven in Jesus Name. Amen.
”
”
Lailah Gifty Akita (Think Great: Be Great! (Beautiful Quotes, #1))
“
But his love is greater than all our hate and he will not rest until Judas has turned to him, until Satan has turned to him, until dark has turned to him; until we can all, all of us without exception, freely return his look of love with love in our own eyes and hearts. And then, healed, whole, complete but not finished, we swill know the joy of being co-creators with the one to whom we call.
Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
”
”
Madeleine L'Engle (The Irrational Season (Crosswicks Journals, #3))
“
My Dear Lord, please help me. Place me in the Center of Your Perfect Will.
Adoro te devote, latens Deitas.
Bread of Life by bread concealed, speaking heart to heart.
Tibi se cor meum totum subjicit.
Let Your presence draw me in here my senses fail.
Visus cactus, gustus in te falliti.
This is truth enough for me.
Peto quod petivit latro paenitens.
Seeing You upon the Cross, flesh and blood, I find.
Plagas, sicut Thomas, non intueor.
I see not but name You still God and Prince of Life.
O memoriale mortis Domini.
How I thirst to meet Your gaze gloriously revealed. After life's obscurity, let me wake to see. Beauty shining from Your Face for eternity.
Amen.
”
”
Gina Marinello-Sweeney (I Thirst (The Veritas Chronicles, #1))
“
Sisters are like best friends whom you can never get rid of. They are there to laugh with you, cry with you, and sometimes laugh at you. They are God-given teammates, and we wouldn't trade them for the world. Can we get an "amen" from all the sisters out there? We're talking to you, girl. Yep, sisters in Christ all the way. We may not be related by birth, but we are related by the blood of Christ. We, as Christian women, are going to spend eternity together with our Father in heaven. We can honestly say we will be sisters forever.
”
”
Kristen Clark
“
Give me chastity and constancy, but not yet." St. Augustine. "Amen" Odette
”
”
Marie Clair (Undone: Odette, Elle & me)
“
Dear God, what do you want me to learn from those who came before? Search me and find patterns that I must address, and liberate me from prior sins. Amen.
”
”
Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
“
Dear Lord, you exist not just at the end of my rope—you’re at the beginning of it. Help me walk with you in good times as well as bad. Amen.
”
”
Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
“
Dear God, let me not be held hostage by money or material things. Let me know the freeness of a life lived for you. Amen.
”
”
Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
“
May the Lord‘s purpose for my life be fulfilled in Jesus name. Amen.
”
”
Lailah Gifty Akita (Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind)
“
Dear God, let me never obsess over the motives, desires, and beliefs of others. Point me inward, into my own soul, and then to you. Amen.
”
”
Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
“
Thank you for the models you’ve given us, like our Christ and Dr. King. May we follow in their footsteps, as veterans of creative suffering, rejoicing all the way. Amen.
”
”
Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
“
We shall conquer every mountain in Jesus name Amen!
”
”
Lailah Gifty Akita (Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind)
“
God is the most supreme. His power is without comparism. He is the impossibility specialist. All glory to him. Amen
”
”
Chinyere Nwakwue
Ida Tyree Hyche (Bar Studies Inspiration: Daily Christian Devotions for Bar Marathon from Start to Finish)
“
Two great prayers;
Yahweh, grant me grace for my daily activities.
Yahweh, protect me from all evil, so that my life will be free of pain in Jesus name. Amen!
”
”
Lailah Gifty Akita (Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind)
“
Sometimes God calls us to help those we don’t want to help so He can provide healing for the broken parts of us.
”
”
Tana Amen (The Relentless Courage of a Scared Child: How Persistence, Grit, and Faith Created a Reluctant Healer)
“
Dear God, clarify to me the things that I worship. If I have not placed holy priorities first, send your Spirit to help me reorient. I trust that you can do it. Amen.
”
”
Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
“
We are helpless, help us, heavenly Father. Amen.
”
”
Lailah Gifty Akita
“
A decision is a responsibility, if you cannot handle responsibility, don't take decisions.
”
”
Amit Kalantri
“
Flora was in that state where the spirit may be willing but the flesh is weak and wishes to go on holiday - and where the flesh in most cases wins hands down with a packed suitcase. It did so now. So she did what many a researcher both great and insignificant does when they are stuck. She yawned while contemplating how to catch the Muse by surprising Her. Almost invariably, the Muse has seen it all before - and also yawns.
”
”
Mavis Cheek
“
As much as we all like happy endings, the trust is we are all works in progress with broken pieces and, hopefully, with repairs. We win, we lose, we carry on. We soar, we crash, we pick ourselves up. Or not. The choice is always our own.
”
”
Tana Amen (The Relentless Courage of a Scared Child: How Persistence, Grit, and Faith Created a Reluctant Healer)
“
Grant unto us, Lord, that we may set our hope on Thy name…and open the eyes of our hearts, that we
may know Thee.”
“We beseech Thee, Lord and Master, to be our help and succour. Save those among us who are in
tribulation; have mercy on the lowly; lift up the fallen; show Thyself to those in need; heal the sick; turn
again the wanderers of Thy people; feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners; raise up the weak; comfort
the faint-hearted. Let all nations know that Thou art God alone, and that Jesus Christ is Thy Son, and
that we are Thy people and the sheep of Thy pasture.”
“We praise Thee who art able to do these and better things than these, through Jesus Christ the High
Priest and Guardian of our souls, through whom be glory and majesty to Thee, both now and
throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
”
”
Clement of Rome
“
Draconian censorship was soon imposed, with correspondents advised that no dispatches would be allowed that made people at home feel unhappy. Equally rigorous censorship of letters home inspired one soldier to write his parents: After leaving where we were before we left for here, not knowing we were coming here from there, we couldn’t tell whether we had arrived here or not. Nevertheless, we now are here and not there. The weather here is just as it always is at this season. The people here are just like they look. On this page a censor scribbled simply, “Amen.
”
”
Rick Atkinson (An Army at Dawn: The War in Africa, 1942-1943)
“
In the beginning was the Word'. I have taken as my text this evening the almighty Word itself. Now get this: 'There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.' Amen, brothers and sisters, Amen. And the riddle of the Word, 'In the beginning was the Word....' Now what do you suppose old John meant by that? That cat was a preacher, and, well, you know how it is with preachers; he had something big on his mind. Oh my, it was big; it was the Truth, and it was heavy, and old John hurried to set it down. And in his hurry he said too much. 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' It was the Truth, all right, but it was more than the Truth. The Truth was overgrown with fat, and the fat was God. The fat was John's God, and God stood between John and the Truth. Old John, see, he got up one morning and caught sight of the Truth. It must have been like a bolt of lightning, and the sight of it made him blind. And for a moment the vision burned on the back of his eyes, and he knew what it was. In that instant he saw something he had never seen before and would never see again. That was the instant of revelation, inspiration, Truth. And old John, he must have fallen down on his knees. Man, he must have been shaking and laughing and crying and yelling and praying - all at the same time - and he must have been drunk and delirious with the Truth. You see, he had lived all his life waiting for that one moment, and it came, and it took him by surprise, and it was gone. And he said, 'In the beginning was the Word....' And man, right then and there he should have stopped. There was nothing more to say, but he went on. He had said all there was to say, everything, but he went on. 'In the beginning was the Word....' Brothers and sisters, that was the Truth, the whole of it, the essential and eternal Truth, the bone and blood and muscle of the Truth. But he went on, old John, because he was a preacher. The perfect vision faded from his mind, and he went on. The instant passed, and then he had nothing but a memory. He was desperate and confused, and in his confusion he stumbled and went on. 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' He went on to talk about Jews and Jerusalem, Levites and Pharisees, Moses and Philip and Andrew and Peter. Don't you see? Old John had to go on. That cat had a whole lot at stake. He couldn't let the Truth alone. He couldn't see that he had come to the end of the Truth, and he went on. He tried to make it bigger and better than it was, but instead he only demeaned and encumbered it. He made it soft and big with fat. He was a preacher, and he made a complex sentence of the Truth, two sentences, three, a paragraph. He made a sermon and theology of the Truth. He imposed his idea of God upon the everlasting Truth. 'In the beginning was the Word....' And that is all there was, and it was enough.
”
”
N. Scott Momaday (House Made of Dawn)
“
Those who choose to live criminal lives are not the brightest among us. This truth inspires a question: If evil geniuses are so rare, why do so many bad people get away with so many crimes against their fellow citizens and, when they become leaders of nations, against humanity? Edmund Burke provided the answer in 1795: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. I would only add this: It is also essential that good men and women not be educated and propagandized into believing that real evil is a myth and that all malevolent behavior is merely the result of a broken family’s or a failed society’s shortcomings, amenable to cure by counseling and by the application of new economic theory.
”
”
Dean Koontz (Odd Hours (Odd Thomas, #4))
“
THE CHRISTIAN ALPHABETS
A = AMEN
B = BAPTISM
C = CHRISTIAN
D = DISCIPLE
F = FELLOWSHIP
G = GOD
H = HOLY SPIRIT
I = INSPIRATION
J = JESUS CHRIST
K = KINGDOM
L = LOVE
M = MODERATION
N = NEW BIRTH
O = OBEDIENCE
P = PRAYER
Q = QUIET TIME
R = RIGHTEOUSNESS
S = SALVATION
T = TESTIMONY
U = UNDERSTANDING
V = VISION
W = WISDOM
X = XMAS
Y = YEA & AMEN
Z = ZION
BY : ADEWALE OSUNSAKIN
”
”
Osunsakin Adewale
“
Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto the, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful, O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen
”
”
Blessed is She
“
I was giving up. I would have given up - if a voice hadn't made itself heard in my heart. The voice said "I will not die. I refuse it. I will make it through this nightmare. I will beat the odds, as great as they are. I have survived so far, miraculously. Now I will turn miracle into routine. The amazing will be seen everyday. I will put in all the hard work necessary. Yes, so long as God is with me, I will not die. Amen
”
”
Yann Martel (Life of Pi)
“
Qui n’a pas ressenti ce frémissement de l’être provoqué par un désir demeuré secret ? Le fait de rêver à l’amour d’un autre rend parfois si heureux que la vie semble soudainement réjouissante et charmante. Le désir est merveilleux car il est une chance d’évolution de l’être. Les poètes s’enivrent de ces « moments sans suite », qui peuvent être reconvertis en d’autres matières, qui n’ont pas besoin de concrétisation matérielle pour amener à l’exaltation érotique et fournir une inspiration créatrice.
”
”
Serge Chaumier (L'amour fissionnel : Le nouvel art d'aimer)
“
Social: Alizé grew up in an environment that was contributing to lower blood flow in the brain. When she came to live with me and my wife, however, we surrounded her with people who live brain-healthy lives. It has inspired her to start adopting healthier habits that are boosting blood flow to her brain. Spiritual: For many people, like my grandfather, taking care of others takes precedence over taking care of themselves. Making your own health a priority may feel selfish, but making sure you are happy, healthy, and energetic is the key to being there for your family and friends.
”
”
Daniel G. Amen (The End of Mental Illness: How Neuroscience Is Transforming Psychiatry and Helping Prevent or Reverse Mood and Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Addictions, PTSD, Psychosis, Personality Disorders, and More)
“
Darcy rolled the quill between his fingers and looked with benign pity upon his cousin. “You should, you know. It’s a wonderful feeling to be the head of your home, with a wife who adores you and whom you adore in return.”
Fitzwilliam whipped out his pocket watch. “Oh, look at that. I have to run."
Ignoring him, Darcy turned his face to the fire, a besotted look in his eyes and a smile on his lips. “It’s a good feeling to care for your family and their well-being. It makes you finally grow up, I can tell you.” He sighed deeply and began attacking his figures once more, his mind filled with unlimited love and joy, thinking on his upcoming paternal responsibilities. “I myself find women to be unbelievably wonderful creations.”
“I suppose you will continue with this treacle even as I beg you to stop.”
“Well, think about it…” Darcy continued, looking up from his work.
Fitzwilliam groaned.
“They give back to you double and triple whatever little you hand them.”
“I think I’m going to be ill, Darcy. Please stop.”
“You hand them disparate items of food, and they give you back a wonderful meal. You provide them with four walls and a floor, and they give you back a loving home. You give them your seed,” Darcy’s eyes misted, his voice choked with emotion. “You give them your seed, and they give you back the most precious thing of all—a child…” They sat in silence together.
“And God help you if you give them shit.” Fitzwilliam was calmly packing tobacco into his pipe, and his eyes met Darcy’s for a moment. Understanding flashed between them.
“Amen to that, Cousin.” Darcy crashed down to earth, quickly resuming his work
”
”
Karen V. Wasylowski
“
AUGUST 19 THE “ACCURSED THINGS” And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. . . . But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan . . . took of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel. —Joshua 6:18; 7:1 (NKJV) We have to leave “accursed things” behind. Led by Joshua, God delivered the city of Jericho into the Israelites’ hands. God just had one requirement: after the city is conquered, the Israelites should leave the “accursed things”—the idols, the spoils, the wicked items that corrupted Jericho—behind. After the victory, most of the Israelites obeyed God’s command. But one man, Achan, “took of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel.” We have to scan our lives to see if there are items within them not of God. Are we watching, consuming, or participating in things that the enemy can use for our destruction? If so, we have to leave them behind—not only for our sake, but for our children, and our children’s children. Dear God, help me leave behind the “accursed things.” Break me of any dependencies, and bring me into your light. Amen.
”
”
Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
“
Good friendship, in Buddhism, means considerably more than associating with people that one finds amenable and who share one's interests. It means in effect seeking out wise companions to whom one can look for guidance and instruction. The task of the noble friend is not only to provide companionship in the treading of the way. The truly wise and compassionate friend is one who, with understanding and sympathy of heart, is ready to criticize and admonish, to point out one's faults, to exhort and encourage, perceiving that the final end of such friendship is growth in the Dhamma. The Buddha succinctly expresses the proper response of a disciple to such a good friend in a verse of the Dhammapada: 'If one finds a person who points out one's faults and who reproves one, one should follow such a wise and sagacious counselor as one would a guide to hidden treasure'
If we associate closely with those who are addicted to the pursuit of sense pleasures, power, riches and fame, we should not imagine that we will remain immune from those addictions: in time our own minds will gradually incline to these same ends. If we associate closely with those who, while not given up to moral recklessness, live their lives comfortably adjusted to mundane routines, we too will remain stuck in the ruts of the commonplace. If we aspire for the highest — for the peaks of transcendent wisdom and liberation — then we must enter into association with those who represent the highest. Even if we are not so fortunate as to find companions who have already scaled the heights, we can well count ourselves blessed if we cross paths with a few spiritual friends who share our ideals and who make earnest efforts to nurture the noble qualities of the Dhamma in their hearts.
When we raise the question how to recognize good friends, how to distinguish good advisors from bad advisors, the Buddha offers us crystal-clear advice. In the Shorter Discourse on a Full-Moon Night (MN 110) he explains the difference between the companionship of the bad person and the companionship of the good person. The bad person chooses as friends and companions those who are without faith, whose conduct is marked by an absence of shame and moral dread, who have no knowledge of spiritual teachings, who are lazy and unmindful, and who are devoid of wisdom. As a consequence of choosing such bad friends as his advisors, the bad person plans and acts for his own harm, for the harm of others, and the harm of both, and he meets with sorrow and misery.
In contrast, the Buddha continues, the good person chooses as friends and companions those who have faith, who exhibit a sense of shame and moral dread, who are learned in the Dhamma, energetic in cultivation of the mind, mindful, and possessed of wisdom. Resorting to such good friends, looking to them as mentors and guides, the good person pursues these same qualities as his own ideals and absorbs them into his character. Thus, while drawing ever closer to deliverance himself, he becomes in turn a beacon light for others. Such a one is able to offer those who still wander in the dark an inspiring model to emulate, and a wise friend to turn to for guidance and advice.
”
”
Bhikkhu Bodhi
“
Listen to some words: Today Christianity stands at the head of this country. . . . I pledge that I will never tie myself to those who want to destroy Christianity. . . . We want to fill our culture again with the Christian spirit—we want to burn out all the recent immoral development in literature, theater, the arts and in the press. . . . In short, we want to burn out the poison of immorality which has entered into our whole life and culture as a result of liberal excess the past . . . few years.2 Take these words at face value. Do they resonate with you? Here is what one listener said upon hearing them: “This . . . puts in words everything I have been searching for, for years. It is the first time someone gave form to what I want.”3 I suspect many would say the same. There are thousands of people who, upon hearing these words spoken, would cheer and agree and say amen. The words are Adolph Hitler’s, and the listener was someone in the audience who made that comment to Joseph Goebbels in 1933. Goebbels was Hitler’s minister of propaganda and clearly a very good one. Hitler’s words sound like they are inspired by Christian faith and morality. Listeners assumed a certain kind of person stood behind them. But Hitler’s words masked the deception behind them so that those listening, without knowing the character of the man, heard what they longed for but what never came to fruition. What did come was the extermination of millions, the destruction of countries, and evil that has affected generations. The words were said to manipulate the audience whose longings the Third Reich understood well. Hitler deliberately deceived the people and drew them in, calling forth loyalty and service. And he got it, not just from the general population but also from the German church. Words full of promises that cloaked great evil were tailored for a vulnerable culture.
”
”
Diane Langberg (Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church)
“
Be a Listener When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. —PROVERBS 10:19 I’ve heard it said that God gave us two ears and only one mouth because He wants us to listen twice as much as we speak. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had to apologize for something I haven’t said. It’s much easier and really more natural for us to speak rather than listen. We have to learn to listen. It takes discipline to keep from talking. As a parent, spouse, sibling, or friend, we need to be known as good listeners. And while listening, we’d do well to remember that there are always two sides to every story. Postpone any judgment until you’ve heard all the evidence—then wait some more. Eleanor Roosevelt, in one of her many speeches, stated, “A mature person is one who does not think only in absolutes, who is able to be objective even when deeply stirred emotionally, who has learned that there is both good and bad in all people and in all things, and who walks humbly and deals charitably with the circumstances of life, knowing that in this world no one is all-knowing and therefore all of us need both love and charity.” Our Scripture verse talks to us about being more of a listener than a talker. Too many words can lead to putting one’s foot in one’s mouth. The more we speak, the greater the chance of being offensive. The wise person will restrain her speech. Listening seldom gets us into trouble, but our mouths certainly cause transgressions. When others realize that you are a true listener, they will tell you important matters. They will open up about their lives and their dreams. They will entrust you with a bit of themselves and their hearts. Never violate that trust. You have the best model possible in your relationship with God. Without fail, He listens to your every need and hope. Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me two good ears to hear. Hold my tongue when I want to lash out. I want to be a better hearer. Amen.
”
”
Emilie Barnes (Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women)
“
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” —Mark 1:35 2. Have an honest heart. “Call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”—Jeremiah 29:12-13 3. Open your Bible. “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” —Hebrews 4:12 4. Have a genuine friend. “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”—Hebrews 10:24-25 God has not meant for our lives to be empty. His plan is for us to live full and abundant lives (see John 10:10). As Rick Warren explains in his book The Purpose-Driven Life, “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”8 God did not make you to be empty. Walk with and in the purpose He has planned for you. Prayer: Father God, lift me out of a life of emptiness. You didn’t make me to be there, and that’s not where I will remain. With Your Spirit and power I will rise above this phase of emptiness and live an abundant life. Thank You for giving me a gentle whisper. Amen. Action: If you find yourself in an empty stage of life, put into action this week the four steps that are given. Today’s Wisdom: Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. —JEREMIAH 17:7-8
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Emilie Barnes (Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women)
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Driscoll preached a sermon called “Sex: A Study of the Good Bits of Song of Solomon,” which he followed up with a sermon series and an e-book, Porn-again Christian (2008). For Driscoll, the “good bits” amounted to a veritable sex manual. Translating from the Hebrew, he discovered that the woman in the passage was asking for manual stimulation of her clitoris. He assured women that if they thought they were “being dirty,” chances are their husbands were pretty happy. He issued the pronouncement that “all men are breast men. . . . It’s biblical,” as was a wife performing oral sex on her husband. Hearing an “Amen” from the men in his audience, he urged the ladies present to serve their husbands, to “love them well,” with oral sex. He advised one woman to go home and perform oral sex on her husband in Jesus’ name to get him to come to church. Handing out religious tracts was one thing, but there was a better way to bring about Christian revival. 13 Driscoll reveled in his ability to shock people, but it was a series of anonymous blog posts on his church’s online discussion board that laid bare the extent of his misogyny. In 2006, inspired by Braveheart, Driscoll adopted the pseudonym “William Wallace II” to express his unfiltered views. “I love to fight. It’s good to fight. Fighting is what we used to do before we all became pussified,” before America became a “pussified nation.” In that vein, he offered a scathing critique of the earlier iteration of the evangelical men’s movement, of the “pussified James Dobson knock-off crying Promise Keeping homoerotic worship . . .” where men hugged and cried “like damn junior high girls watching Dawson’s Creek.” Real men should steer clear. 14 For Driscoll, the problem went all the way back to the biblical Adam, a man who plunged humanity headlong into “hell/ feminism” by listening to his wife, “who thought Satan was a good theologian.” Failing to exercise “his delegated authority as king of the planet,” Adam was cursed, and “every man since has been pussified.” The result was a nation of men raised “by bitter penis envying burned feministed single mothers who make sure that Johnny grows up to be a very nice woman who sits down to pee.” Women served certain purposes, and not others. In one of his more infamous missives, Driscoll talked of God creating women to serve as penis “homes” for lonely penises. When a woman posted on the church’s discussion board, his response was swift: “I . . . do not answer to women. So, your questions will be ignored.” 15
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Kristin Kobes Du Mez (Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation)
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Lord, if Hezekiah could learn to lean upon and be confident in You, I know that it’s also possible for me. Enable me to focus on developing and maximizing my strengths rather than concentrating on my weaknesses. Amen.
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Joyce Meyer (The Confident Woman Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations)
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Lord, I dedicate myself to developing and using my strengths for Your honor and glory. I want to excel at what I am gifted to do. Help me to know my strengths and to handle my weaknesses in a way that does not distract me from being effective for You. Amen.
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Joyce Meyer (The Confident Woman Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations)
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Lord, teach me what it means to be rooted deep in Your love and to be secure in my relationship with Jesus. You know my weaknesses and everything that seeks to control my life. You know the “fixes” that I have tried. Help me to know my freedom in Christ. Amen.
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Joyce Meyer (The Confident Woman Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations)
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Lord, I hate being lulled into passivity and staying trapped when You are calling me to action. I will take responsibility for my life today and start turning my wishes into reality. Amen.
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Joyce Meyer (The Confident Woman Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations)
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God of truth and revelation, In many and various ways you spoke through the prophets in the past. Now you have revealed yourself supremely through your Son, Jesus. And through the Holy Spirit you recall to our minds and refresh what Jesus taught. We give thanks for your faithful servants who, under the inspiration of your Spirit, told stories, handed down laws, preserved prophetic utterances and sayings of the wise, recorded the words and deeds of our Lord and of his followers, exhorted the faithful, rebuked the wayward, and envisioned your ultimate victory. Reveal to us your truth through the sacred text. Grant that our eyes may carefully perceive, that our minds may soundly analyze, and that our lives may be joyously transformed by your living and active Word. Through the cleansing, empowering, and instruction of your written Word, make us better disciples of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word, in whose name we pray. Amen.
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N. Clayton Croy (Prima Scriptura: An Introduction to New Testament Interpretation)
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Dear God, help me rest within the bosom of your faithfulness; let me feel the security of your ageless embrace. Amen.
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Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
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Lord, today, help me paint a beautiful picture. Remove the distractions, clarify my inner mind, and give me a vision. Lay out the canvas, oh God, and help me bring this picture to vivid life. Amen.
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Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
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Dear God, help me discern the people and situations in my life that could be stopping my progress, choking my growth. And give me the boldness to take action, in love, and remove them. Amen.
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Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
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Dear God, is there something you want me to do that would appear foolish? If so, let me hear your voice and have the courage to take action. Amen.
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Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
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Dear God, thank you for being a miracle worker. On so many occasions I’ve made it to the other side, too many for me to remember or recount. I rest in the knowledge that you will do it again and again, for your greater glory. Amen.
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Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
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... Amen. GOD Created all things seen and unseen.
The True Believers in GOD believe that over a period of about 1600 years, GOD inspired 40 Holy men of GOD to write the Holy Bible.
The Holy Bible is The Only Holy Book written under Divine Inspiration by about 40 Holy men of GOD over a period of about 1600 years.
"In the beginning GOD created the heaven and the earth."(Genesis 1:1).
GOD is a Spirit. (Genesis 1;1; John 1;1; 1 John 1:1 -7; John 4:24; John 17:1-3 etc)
ABBA GOD, is Our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 6:9-13; Romans 8:15;
Romans 8:15 ;Galatians 4:6;etc )
GOD Lives.
GOD Exists.
GOD is Real and GOD is Eternal.
GOD is The Creator and He Created all things seen and unseen.
GOD is a Spirit and He is Masculine.
There is nothing impossible with GOD.
Finite mortal minds should never try to limit the Infinite Eternal GOD.
GOD is Love.( 1 John 3;1; 1 John 4:8 ; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; Daniel 9:4; Deuteronomy 7:9 ;Deuteronomy 30:20; Hebrews 6:10 ; John 3:8 ; John 13:35 ; John 14:31 ; romans 6:23; 1 John 5:23 ; John 17:22-23 ; Ezekiel 36:26-27 ; Ephesians 2:4-5 ; Deuteronomy 10:12-13 ;2 Corinthians 6:17-18 ; John 3:16-18 ; Romans 5:6-8 ; Matthew 22:36-40 ;
Matthew 22:36-40; 1 John 3:11-18 ; 1 John 4:7-16 ; etc ).
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Errol Anthony Smythe
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With God the impossible IS possible
Statistical, scientific and mathematical
square root, pi and deviations have no relevance to God
Finite becomes Infinity
Probability becomes Yes, Yes and Amen.
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Maisie Aletha Smikle
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Pay close attention to the birds that perch on your balconies, windows, and doorsteps. Pay attention to the birds that fly past your eyes and over your heads. Pay attention to the birds that are paying attention to you. They are all bringing you messages -- so pay extra attention. If a dove should fall on your path, say AMEN. If a lone eagle should fly above your head, say THANK YOU. If you see a vulture, PRAY. If you see an owl, WRITE. And if you see a crow, ask yourself WHY. The little birds bring positive messages from the deceased and can be viewed as little angels. The larger birds act as guides and bring larger messages from the divine.
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Suzy Kassem
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We begin by turning to God in prayer. “Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name” (Psalm 86:11). Lord, inspire me to live an undivided life. Cast everything out of my life that creates an obstacle to the unified life you created me to live, and give me the courage to make decisions that defend and celebrate unity of life. Amen.
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Matthew Kelly (Perfectly Yourself: Discovering God's Dream For You)
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Lord, I know that where I am right now, isn’t where You’re taking me. Give me glimpses of Your vision for my future, so that my understanding may grow in accordance with Your timing. Give me patience along the way and faith to trust that You’re always working for my good. Amen.
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Patience Johnson (Why Does an Orderly God Allow Disorder)
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Dear Father, thank You for Scripture that guides, inspires, consoles, heals, and feeds the spiritually hungry. Amen. —Scott Walker
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Guideposts (Daily Guideposts 2017: A Spirit-Lifting Devotional)
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STAY ON COURSE …Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:13). Well-trained athletes would never expect to win the race by constantly looking over their shoulder. They know in order to win they must keep focused on the finish line. As believers we cannot run the race always looking to the past. We must focus our attention toward the future. We can learn from the past, while living in the present, and focusing on the future. When it comes to past experiences there are two basic attitudes: First, some learn from the past and are helped. When Paul said he was, “ forgetting what is behind,” he was not suggesting a memory failure. God did not create us with an erase button behind our ears so we can eliminate hurtful memories. That’s not what it means at all. It means to no longer be influenced or affected by our past. When God said He would not remember our sins and iniquities (see Hebrews 10:17), He was not saying He will have a memory lapse. That is impossible with God. What He is saying is that our sins will no longer affect our standing with Him. Second, some people live in the past and are hindered. Sadly, there are many believers who never progress any further in their walk with God because all of their time is spent on painful memories. No doubt there were things in Paul’s past that could have been too heavy for him to carry into his future (see 1 Timothy 1:12-17). Instead of allowing his past memories to hurt him, they became inspirations to push him forward! Paul could not change what had happened to him in his past. But he determined to gain a new understanding of what they meant. He is a perfect example of a runner who refused to run the race backward! Without the power of the Holy Spirit it is impossible to break the shackles of past regret and hurt. No amount of “mind power” can accomplish what only God’s power can do. While we cannot change past events, like Paul, we can change how they affect us today. Father, I know I am easily distracted by hurtful memories. I pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to break their influence. Amen!
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Paul Tsika (Growing in Grace: Daily Devotions for Hungry Hearts)
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Dear God, thank you for the blessing of life everlasting. Increase within me knowledge of you, that I may see you face-to-face in paradise. Amen.
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Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
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A simple prayer for the day: Although some trust in chariots and others in horses, I remember the name of the Lord. When others bow and fall, I will stand upright. Save us, Lord, and answer us when we call. Amen.
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Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
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Dear God, order my priorities. Plant within me a deep love for you and for my fellow men and women. And let me give everything else, including religion, its proper place. Amen.
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Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
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Dear Lord, Let us not move out of a desire for safety. Let us not move for good politics. Let us not move to be popular. No, Lord, today, we want to move when it’s right. Amen.
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Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
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Dear Lord, we pray that you would guide and inspire all those who are working towards cures and treatments for the diseases and injuries from which humankind suffers. We ask that you would direct all research and keep all those involved on an ethical and effective path. In Jesus' name, amen.
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Keren Dibbens-Wyatt (Christian Prayers for the World)
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Our Father Hallowed be YHWH
YHWH mighty God. Our Redeemer. Our Deliverer. Our Solace. Our Comforter. We glorify You. You indeed are the most supreme. Ruler of all things visible and invisible. O mighty Father, YHWH, our God who is...who will...and forever will be because Thou changeth not. We magnify You. You O mighty God delivered Yeshua from under the grave and Caucasions from under the cave. Hear O God our cry and our plea. Deliver us from all evil and lead us not into temptation we beseech Thee O YHWH. Show us Your mercy in the name of Yeshua. We give Thee thanks. Amen.
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Maisie Aletha Smikle
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PRAYER With these inspirations in our hearts and minds, we turn to you, Jesus, and pray. Lord, help us to be constantly aware that life is precious. Liberate us from our life-wasting habits so that we can live life to the fullest. Nudge us when we feel tempted to waste a day or an hour, or even a few minutes. Remove any judgment from our hearts that causes us to think of ourselves as different from or better than others in any way. Warm our hearts so that we may see that it is within our power to help other people clean up their messes, and to act with the generous mercy you have shown us. Jesus, we offer this decade to you for our own mothers—living or deceased—and for all mothers. We pray for all the children who will be born today. May they each have at least one person in their lives to teach them to walk with you. We pray in a special way for single mothers and for all those couples struggling to conceive a child, and for all parents who have lost a child. Mary, pray for us and share your wisdom with all mothers. Amen.
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Matthew Kelly (Rediscover the Rosary: The Modern Power of an Ancient Prayer)
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Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, my spiritual father, and beg your protection. O foster father of the Redeemer, despise not my petitions, but in your goodness hear and answer me. Amen.
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Donald H. Calloway (Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father)
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About the same time, Whitmer began transcribing Smith’s revelations into a bound volume entitled “A Book of Commandments and Revelations of the Lord Given to Joseph the Seer and Others by the Inspiration of God and Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost Which Beareth Re[c]ord of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost Which Is One God Infinite and Eternal World without End Amen.
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Dan Vogel (Charisma under Pressure: Joseph Smith, American Prophet, 1831–1839)
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Heavenly Father, Heal my hurting heart. Lead me to live a life of love and forgiveness. Amen.
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Benecia Ponder (Divine Direction: 22 Inspirational Devotionals for Hope, Healing, Breakthrough and Transformation)
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Amen to God for his glory.
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Lailah Gifty Akita
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Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known and from whom no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy Holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The Book Of Common Prayer
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JADE: picture that this is all you have ever known of this story. the only way it would ever occur to you that the story could be understood by another.
JADE: and then, one day, you meet me.
JADE: you look me up and down, and regard me as the discrete, specific individual that i am.
JADE: and i decide to tell you this story again, using my own voice.
JADE: and it sounds exactly like this:
JADE: a martyr died and said fuck.
ARADIA: huh...
JADE: does this change the way you perceive the story you were originally familiar with?
ARADIA: i guess a little bit
ARADIA: it’s certainly a different way of hearing it
ARADIA: but at least you didnt change any words so i guess its not all that different
JADE: exactly.
JADE: i didn’t change any words.
JADE: but then, it was a very short story i told, wasn’t it?
ARADIA: sure was
JADE: now imagine it was much longer, and that was only the first line.
ARADIA: thats easy to imagine
ARADIA: his was a long story
JADE: quite true.
JADE: a story as short as the one we’ve been using cannot accomplish much when it comes to guiding and manipulating one’s awareness and emotions.
JADE: it is compact, ostensibly commanding a simple and meditative moment of reflection, as a short poem might.
JADE: the narrative it delivers is freighted with inference. it is a pattern imprinted upon the imagination consisting solely of cognitive dark matter, or a sort of notional negative space.
JADE: but longer stories have the power to draw consciousness into them. they possess arresting and hypnotic qualities which can be used by their tellers to alter the awareness of the listener.
JADE: again, i’d like you to imagine this is the only way you’ve ever known this story.
JADE: but then it continues...
JADE: a martyr died and said fuck.
JADE: his final howl of profanity reverberated through the ages.
JADE: it inspired his devotees during the darkest times of a brutal regime.
JADE: his lessons were guarded, kept secret, espoused in the shadows of tyranny.
JADE: a vision of peace would inspire those who’d never conceived of it.
JADE: and though his death was gruesome, it opened the world to a feeling of hope.
JADE: this hope echoed through the ages.
JADE: it gave his disciples the strength to persist as they perished in droves.
JADE: it was the only light to shine on a dark planet for millions of sweeps.
JADE: and if you are one so devoted to his teachings, who sees truth in his words,
JADE: it may be said with great authority that you are wrong.
JADE: you are foolish to believe his lies. his martyrdom is false, his sacrifice hollow.
JADE: repent for your adherence to this illusion now, and perhaps leniency will be your reward.
ARADIA: 0_0
ARADIA: what just happened there
JADE: i brought to your attention that the story you were listening to had a speaker with a specific identity.
JADE: and where there is an identity, there can also be an agenda.
JADE: i gained the power to bend your consciousness to become more amenable to my narrative agenda by lulling you into a more receptive state through the established rhythm of the story’s telling.
JADE: this was only possible because you were not initially questioning the identity of the teller, or even considering that there was an identity to consider.
ARADIA: i guess youre right
JADE: hence, we may view any story as speakerless, or spoken, so as to bring designations to the duality i have just presented.
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Andrew Hussie
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Let a man question the inspiration of the Scriptures and a curious, even monstrous, inversion takes place: thereafter he judges the Word instead of letting the Word judge him; he determines what the Word should teach instead of permitting it to determine what he should believe; he edits, amends, strikes out, adds at his pleasure; but always he sits above the Word and makes it amenable to him instead of kneeling before God and becoming amenable to the Word.
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A.W. Tozer (The Pursuit of God and Other Classics)
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Thank you, dear God, that this life is never over and your work never complete. I will rejuvenate and get ready for the road ahead. Amen.
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Joshua DuBois (The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama)
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Amen” means ‘Yes’, it is done, glory to God!
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Lailah Gifty Akita (Think Great: Be Great! (Beautiful Quotes, #1))
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It is pleasant to think that in heaven the divisive issues that seemed so important on earth will no longer concern us as we feast in a fellowship of love. Prayer: Father, make us steadfast in our core beliefs, and make us charitable about nonessentials. Amen.
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J. Stephen Lang (The Christian History Devotional: 365 Readings & Prayers to Deepen & Inspire Your Faith)
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Lord, Open my eyes to see where you would lead me. Awaken my ears that I would hear your voice guiding me. Inspire my mind that I may comprehend your love for me. Soften my heart that I would offer grace to those I meet. Watch my feet that I would tread upon your kingdom paths. Guard my heart from selfishness that I would give freely. Inspire my words that I may speak of hope and healing. O Lord, I follow you. Amen.
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Oliver Powell (Prayer: The 100 Most Powerful Morning Prayers Every Christian Needs To Know (Christian Prayer Book 1))
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Unless therefore I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by the clearest reasoning, unless I am persuaded by means of the passages I have quoted, and unless they thus render my conscience bound by the word of God, I cannot and I will not retract, for it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other; may God help me. Amen."-Martin Luther
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Ellen Gould White
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REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother; to thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
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Wyatt North (Catholic Prayer Book Volume 1 - Enhanced Edition)
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My chains are broken in Jesus Name. Amen.
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Lailah Gifty Akita (Think Great: Be Great! (Beautiful Quotes, #1))
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Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name by the practice of Christian-year spirituality; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen. —ROBERT WEBBER
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Scot McKnight (Praying with the Church: Following Jesus Daily, Hourly, Today)
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6 But after arepenting, and humbling himself sincerely, through faith, God ministered unto him by an holy bangel, whose ccountenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all other whiteness; 7 And gave unto him acommandments which inspired him; 8 And agave him power from on high, by the bmeans which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon; 9 Which contains a arecord of a fallen people, and the bfulness of the cgospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also; 10 Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to aothers by the ministering of angels, and is bdeclared unto the world by them— 11 Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are atrue, and that God does binspire men and call them to his choly work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old; 12 Thereby showing that he is the asame God yesterday, today, and bforever. Amen.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Book of Mormon | Doctrine and Covenants | Pearl of Great Price)
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Lord...please help us overcome our despair,
So we can help others overcome theirs.
Amen!
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Timothy Pina (Hearts for Haiti: Book of Poetry & Inspiration)
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You have it on your noise, but you still need a glass to see it... We need others to admit our faults.
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Amen Muffler
“
Chew like a Cow I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. —PSALM 119:15 We want God’s time. But are we willing to give Him a portion of our day, our thoughts? Meditation takes effort, discipline, and the willingness to make space for God. We are in so much of a hurry that we just can’t seem to fit meditation into our busy schedules. Oh, most of us want an intimate relationship with the Lord, but are we ready to give of our time? After all…we are busy. We’ve got to make more money, buy bigger toys, and race our children from one activity to another. I get tired just thinking about all the activities, don’t you? Those activities and the scrambling we do to get from one to the next start to breed impatience. I’ve even heard people complain at a fast-food restaurant that they need to speed up the service! No wonder we aren’t able to meditate on God’s Word. We are in too much of a hurry. Contrast this idea of constantly hurrying with the idea given in today’s verse. It says we are to meditate on God’s precepts. To meditate means to dwell on a passage. Sort of like a cow chewing her cud. Why do cows spend so much time chewing their cud? Cows first fill their stomachs with grass and other food. Then they begin the long chew-and-rechew process. It seems painfully slow, but this process turns the food into rich, creamy milk. Time consuming? Yes. But it’s a must if you want good milk. That’s the way it is with us Christians. If we want to grow, we must slow down and meditate on God’s principles. We need to read His precious truths, then ponder their meaning and influence and wonder. Take comfort in knowing that there is rest and renewal for all of us when we meditate on God’s precepts. Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me a quiet time so I can meditate on Your words. Your principles have given me such peace—for one thing, I’ve wanted to slow down. Amen. Action: Slow down—meditate. Chew on God’s Word and truths.
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Emilie Barnes (Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women)
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Lord...my goal is not to live forever but to live in thy favor forever. May you not only always bless me and my children in friendship & favor but may you also bless all our generations to come.
May we always walk in your light and do our best to bring praise to your holy name.
Amen.
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Timothy Pina (Hearts for Haiti: Book of Poetry & Inspiration)
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Sometimes quick experiences pay big dividends. You need refreshment and renewal. Don't let yourself become so overwhelmed by your responsibilities that you forget how to nourish yourself with those things that give you a lift.. .like a cup of tea, perhaps?
PRAYER
Lord, help my spirit to be still and silent before You. I pray that I will carve out time to be with You and enjoy simple pleasures that fill me with happiness and hope and peace. It is good to take time for myself and to nurture my life. I want to give andgive to my family, my job, and to You...guide me toward balance. Lead me to the joy of quiet time and "me" time so I am refreshed and even more prepared to serve and to love. Amen.
HEART ACTION
Select a way to relax and restore yourself today. Choose an inspiring verse from Scripture and meditate on it while you relax. Your outlook will change dramatically.
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Emilie Barnes (The Tea Lover's Devotional)