Janette Oke Quotes

The truth of God's love is not that He allows bad things to happen, it's his promise that he will be there with us--when they do.

Sometimes love isn't fireworks, sometimes love just comes softly.

When you read you can have every adventure. In the pages of a book you can be anyone you ever dreamed of being... They can never tell you you're too young to slay the dragon -- because it all happens right here, where it's safe.

Blessings sometimes show up in unrecognizable disguises.

Impatience can cause wise people to do foolish things.

Those who choose to be servants know the most about being free.

Home is where you will always have a place, where you will always feel loved, and you will never be alone.

When God allows something to be taken from you, He replaces it with something better.

True love is born of experience, not fairy dust.

Having someone who understands is a great blessing for ourselves. Being someone who understands is a great blessing to others.

She thanked God that life was not always winter, that spring always came at last to chase away the cold and heaviness, and to release one to warmth and movement again.

People who live in fear tend to do a powerful lot of nothing.

God will show you who to partner with when the time comes.

Sometimes, the darkest part of the morning is just before dawn

But If it is to be, or not, That's all in God's hands.

God knows best. We can trust Him with our lives as well as our eternal souls. He does not take something from us without filling that spot with something just as good--- and because it's from Him, even much better

I don’t understand all about God, but there’s one thing that I’m as sure of as the fact that I live and breathe. He loves us. He loves us completely, and always keeps our good in mind.

God loves you, that He plans for your good, not your hurt. “It’s true that things happen in life that seem wrong and are painful, but it isn’t because God likes to see us suffer. He wants to see us grow. He wants us to love Him, to trust Him.

There was no use grieving over what might have been

Little is much, If love abides

a person doesn’t demonstrate independence by rebelling. You do it by shouldering responsibilities, making wise, thoughtful decisions.

And I have discovered that God had it all planned, even before I had caught on to it.

How did it all come about—this miracle of love? She didn’t know. It had come upon her unawares... softly.

Only God can bring about the miracle, the rebirth. It is my job to love her, to pray for her, and to leave the rest to Him.

And just as simply as that, it was over. She was no longer a student in the local town. She was a graduate. An adult. She thought she should feel something. Older.Wiser. But she felt nothing but a strange emptiness. An inner knowledge that she was now on the edge of the nest, ready to try her own wings

I was acting like a child. Wanting his full attention. His declarations of love. I wanted to be his little princess, I guess. The one he worshiped and adored. Well, life's not like that. And after thinking it through, I actually wouldn't want it to be. We aren't put together in a marriage to stroke each other's ego. Marriage is a partnership. A blending of two lives working together. That's where the commitment comes in. It's a determination of the head - not the heart. No, I shouldn't say it that way. It still involves the heart. It still is based on love, but it's new kind of love. A mature love. One that doesn't ask, "What will you do for me?" but rather "What can I do for you?" or "What can we do for each other?

Memories are beautiful things, Boy. When the person that ya loved is gone, when the happy time is over, then ya’ve still got yer memories. Thank God fer this special gift of His that lets ya sorta live yer experiences again and again. S’pose there ain’t no price one would settle on fer the worth of memories.

A sense of humor is a requisite to surviving in our demanding world

You simply need to trust, take each next step by faith. You will know what is right when the time comes.

Whenever something comes into our life that hurts us, we do the decidin’—do I let this work for my good, as God intended, or do I let bitterness grow like a bothersome canker sore in my soul?

The sunset was a splendid display. I wondered if it was showing off for my benefit or if it was often that spectacular. Rarely had I seen such a gorgeous scene; the riotous colors flamed out over the sky in shades that I had no words to describe. Birds sang their last songs of the day before tucking in for the night, and still the darkness hung back. Now, I thought, I understand the word "twilight." It was created for just this time - in this land.

How else can we become reconciled, except one individual at a time? This Jesus you seek did not come to address nations. He washed the wounds of lepers. He dined with sinners. He healed all who came to him. One person at a time.

Yes, He could have. He could let us go through all of our life, bundlin’ us and shelterin’ us from anything and everything that would hurt us. I could do that with my petunias, Josh. I could build a box around them and keep them from the wind and the rain, the crawlers and the bees. What would happen iffen I did that, Josh?” I jest shrugged. The answer was too obvious. “They’d never bear flowers,” said Auntie Lou.

When he looked at me, I saw my own soul. His gaze broke through all my assumptions, all my barriers. I was stripped to the very essence of my being. He saw all my lies and my failures and all my sinful ways. And yet he loved me still.

Part of learning to count my blessings is accepting that many of them I would not have chosen if

God is like that, Virginia concluded. He's always on duty. Moving from one need to another. Always there- for everyone. He'll get us through this. He has a way.

But I refused to mope about for the evening. My little ritual with teacup, familiar chair, and a favorite Dickens story went a long way toward improving my outlook.

Dear Lord, you know our need and how much we depend upon your help. We’re not going to give you orders about what to do, God. We are just going to thank you for being there when we need you. In the name of Jesus, your Son. Amen.

It can make us stronger, more compassionate, more understanding—more like Jesus—if we allow it to. And the more clutter we get rid of in our life here—the more we will be able to enjoy heaven—when we get there. So, pain can have a purpose.

live life to the foolish coz life is to short to be wasted

The cake had been done by a lady friend of Mary's. It was simpler than it would have been had she been given more time; but I was finding more and more beauty in simplicity.

Why is this important? Because it means the division between God and man has been abolished.

She had drawn strength from the woods. No, not that. She had drawn strength from the God who had made the woods.

some dreams are meant to be handed over to God. To be remolded and redirected in keeping with his will. Sometimes our plans do not fit with the plans of God. Linux helped . . .

Understanding comes from within, from knowing and trusting in the Lord.

I want to thank you for that. Personally. Whether you knew it at that time or not, you had a great deal to do with shaping the life and character of the man I have come to love

When the person that ya loved is gone, when the happy time is over, then ya’ve still got yer memories. Thank God fer this special gift of His that lets ya sorta live yer experiences again and again. S’pose there ain’t no price one would settle on fer the worth of memories.

Ya see, Marty, sometimes love comes sorta stealin’ up on ya gradual like, not shoutin’ bold words or wavin’ bright flags. Ya ain’t even aware it’s a growin’ an’ growin’ an’ gettin’ stronger

The compass needle tells the truth, Beth, even in a storm. And then one must adjust the rest of one’s circumstances in accordance—even though sometimes it feels amiss. It reminds me that the Bible is like that too. It tells us the truth, and then we must adjust our thinking, our actions, to match.

Without that forgiveness, that peace, no heart is ever happy. There is always an inner struggle. Pain. Only when God has been invited in-to manage one's life, to direct one's thinking, to be in control-can one ever get away from all the conflicts inside. We have to stop struggling against His will before we can find real joy.

This is life in a fallen world, where wars come and go, where nations rage and people cry in torment. We must be strong, not in ourselves, but in Him. And trust that His love and His wisdom and His light will see us through.

He did this not only for us, but for everyone who witnessed that day. And for those like you who hear of it. He did this to show that even in the darkest hour, when there is no reason to go forward, no possibility of a better tomorrow, he is there to comfort, to guide, to heal. He brings with him the gift of hope. Impossible, glorious, joyful hope.

I love him. Have loved him through each of his growing stages. But I do not want him to stay the same. I want him to grow. To mature. To become everything God has in mind for him. To be a man. Accept responsibility. Be a leader...And he will. I have every confidence he will. He's on the right track-your brother. Following the leading of his Lord. I want him to change, but I never want him to leave behind the solid base he has already established for who he is deep inside. But I also want him to build and develop and carefully nurture that inner self. And as that happens, there will be changes.

I am not afraid of death, Abigail. I am afraid that I might draw back and not be bold in proclaiming the gospel.” He hesitated, then said, “And I am afraid that I might not stand firm. That under the heel of the enemy, in pain, I might deny my Lord.

I really don’t know. We should be wise enough to know we can trust Him with everything, but it seems as if He is forever needing to remind us—one thing at a time. Maybe it’s because we just hang onto some things too tightly, wanting our own way too much.

There now,” she said with some satisfaction and, taking careful aim, she shut her eyes and chopped hard. It worked—but Marty was totally unprepared for the next event. A wildly flopping chicken—with no head—covered her unmercifully with spattered blood. “Stop thet! Stop thet!” she screamed. “Yer s’pose to be dead, ya—ya dumb headless thing.

I think that is why—why God allows hard things in life. To prepare us. To knock off rough edges—pride, bias, envy, selfishness—so that when we get to heaven we will be more in tune—more able to enjoy the beautiful things we’ll find there. Maybe that’s what the rewards will be. A deeper appreciation of what we are given—what we are a part of.

It may sound simplistic, but is meant wholeheartedly. We are so privileged to have the Scriptures

written, preserved, and passed on to us. What an indescribable blessing it is for us

you of all have the most to forgive.” “Ah, and if so,” he responded, “I have the most blessing to receive after I’ve done so.

Holes in socks are sorta like sin, Josh. If you don’t tend to them right away when they’re small and controllable, they grow with amazing speed.

We never know,” said her father, “when we pray for God’s protection on our children to what great lengths He will need to go to fulfil our prayers.

You women are strange creatures, indeed," he said. "No wonder we men never succeed in understandin' ya. But thanks be to God fer makin' ya the way ya are.

Do I tell you how to braid your hair? Don't tell me how to plow a field.

If anyone deserves the truth, Nanna, a child does. They can accept things, even hurtful things, if they are dealt with honestly, in love

Remember, never despise a task—any task. In doing any job, you are either creating something or bettering something.

We can’t do it on our own—none of us. We ask for His help—daily. Why, I remember my pa praying every morning that God would give him wisdom and power and patience for the day.

I was stripped to the very essence of my being. He saw all my lies and my failures and all my sinful ways. And yet he loved me still.

Thank you, Lord, I prayed, for turning something bad into something good.

painful experiences can be used to better prepare us for heaven. You see, if we let it, even pain can shape us—make us better people—get rid of some of the ugly parts of our humanity.

God says we are of worth. Satan tries to convince us wer are mere trash. If he can accomplish that, then we give up. We do no even try to fullfill our God-given ministry to others.

He answers my prayers.” “Ya mean by givin’ ya whatever ya ask fer?” Clark thought a minute, then shook his head. “No, not thet. Oft times He jest helps me to git by without what I asked fer.

Might there always be harmony and commitment, love and happiness. Might there be strength for the hard times, humor to ease the tense times, and shoulders always available for the times of tears,

You didn’t have to be a ma and a pa and four kids to be a family. All you needed was people livin’ together and lovin’ and helpin’ one another. That’s what made a family—blood-ties and love-bonds.

We light the candle and ask the Lord Jehovah to illuminate the week ahead. We sprinkle spices into the flame and remind ourselves that the Sabbath should remain a sweet scent in our lives, flavoring the days to come.

I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.

I know that this world holds suffering— and hardship— and sometimes despair. But our God has a gift— a hope and a future for each of us. If only we accept the manner in which it comes: the surrender of our will to His— in faith and obedience.

Don't be fooled. Charlie remembers things exactly the way he wants to remember them. I suppose we all do...And then we spend the rest of our lives basing the way we think about our families on what we THOUGHT happened--instead of what really did.

There seemed to be so many things that I needed, but I held myself in check and purchased only essentials - with the exception of one extravagance. I had determined that I would drink my tea like a lady, even in a log house; so I purchased a teapot and two cups and saucers of fine china. I felt somehow Mama's mind would be much more at ease about me if she knew that I was having my tea in the proper fashion. After all, civilization could not be too far away from Pine Springs if I had such amenities!

If their purpose and actions are those of mortal men, they will fail. But if it is from God, how can you possibly stop them? You will only find yourselves fighting against our Lord Jehovah!” To Ezra’s astonishment, the entire Council around the head table looked subdued.

Only God knows the plan he has for you. We must continue to pray for his will to be done. He has promised to answer, and he keeps his promises. So answer he will—in his own time and way. Whatever your future holds, this I know. He will not desert you. Your duty, my dear, is to seek his will and to walk in his way.

She found peace in the assurance that they had both served as the Lord wished. With tears of thanksgiving upon her cheeks, she thanked her Lord for relief of the dark despair that had threatened to consume her. There was reason to go on. And she had God’s promise. And though she missed Stephen with all her heart, knowledge that the Lord was with her was enough.

So he has touched you, and yet there is much you do not yet understand. How are you to fathom all that is happening? What shall be the direction from inside for what you think? How you shall live? Where you will go? The answer, my new brother, is found within the sacred texts. Together we will begin to study them, you and I. You will learn to speak with God directly. And you will discover how to listen to him speak with you.

Linux remained where he was, more comfortable with his solitary position at the table than he’d ever been before. He felt a childlike ease, so protected, so accepted he could expose his most hidden weaknesses and fears and uncertainties and know all was well, all forgiven, all blessed. The stone he had carried inside was finally dissolving. Inner wounds were now open to healing light, and the gift of hope was like an illumination around him.

We must not fail to give our full attention to the spreading of the Good News and to prayer. But we must also care for those who are in need. That, too, is God’s commandment to us. We must be careful not to neglect that task. “I have spent the afternoon in prayer, as have other apostles, and now we are ready to act. We would like you to select seven men—men who are full of the Spirit and wisdom—and we will turn this responsibility over to them.

I cried then, the great sobs wracking my whole body. I remembered the last time that I had wept, and how the little boy in my embrace had reached up awkwardly , and yet tenderly to brush away my tears " you did good, Teacher," he had whispered. And now the small boy had passed beyond- so young to journey on alone. But then I remembered that he hadn't traveled alone- not one step of the way, for as soon as the loving hands had released him there, another Hand had reached out to gently take him. I tried to visualize him entering the new Land , the excitement and eagerness shining forth on his face, the cheers rising from the shrill little voice. There would be no pain twisting his face now, no need to hold his head and rock back and forth. Joy and happiness would surround him. I could almost hear his words as he looked at the glories of heaven and gave the Father his jubilant ovation-" You did good, God; You did real good!

Brothers and sisters, we have been struck a crippling blow. One of our own, one whom we loved and deeply appreciated, has been cruelly taken from us. One who served his God and us with his whole heart. We miss him deeply. “But let us not despair. Our Lord himself told us to expect to be hated even as he was hated. But we cannot let this distract us from our purpose. Our world still needs the Good News. Those who pose as our enemies still need the light. The light that can only come through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A dense pall of fear hung over the entire group. Previously they had sensed that persecution might come. They had tried to prepare for it. Now it was real—raw and terrifying. If their enemies could do this to a man like Stephen, who sought only to serve his community and anyone in need, every one of them was in danger. All of them! Little groups huddled in whispered conversation. Mothers stayed home from evening prayer to shelter children. Men moved furtively, casting glances to each side as they hastened through the streets. The whole community was wrapped in a shroud of tension and uneasiness.

WAIT to finish my chores that mornin’. I needed to sneak off to my favorite log along the crik bank and find myself some thinkin’ time. Too many things had been happening too fast; I was worried that my whole world was about to change. I didn’t want it changed. I liked things jest the way they were, but if I

Memories are beautiful things, Boy. When the person that ya loved is gone, when the happy time is over, then ya've still got yer memories. Thank God fear this special gift of His that let's ya sorta live yer experiences again and again. S'pose there ain't no price one would settle on fear the worth of memories

girl thet I’ve ever felt this way about.” Lou was probably thinkin’ right then about Tillie White-comb, who’d

Auntie

effort

foot

kitchen.

curiosity

Jebb

Because the family still clung

Don't be fooled. Charlie remembers things the way he wants to remember them. I suppose we all do...And then we spend the rest of our lives basing the way we think about our families on what we THOUGHT happened--instead of what really did.

It is a soldier's right to complain, his only defense against orders not to his liking.