Centre Christian Spiritualist Church ~ Reflections 2006

As Christians, we often feel guilty about these feelings. All are true human emotions, and necessary in enabling us to cope.
God understands our pain and our suffering. He will wrap his loving arms around us.
He will be there when no one else can.

After a time, we begin to feel his presence. You can see a faint light in the distance. This is the light of HOPE.

You have the ability to attain whatever you seek,
Within you is every potential you can imagine.

Always aim higher than you believe you can reach.
So often, you'll discover that when your talents
are set free by your imagination, you can achieve any goal.

If people offer their help or wisdom as you go through life,
accept it gracefully.
You can learn much from those who have gone before you.

But never be afraid or hesitant to step off the accepted path and
head off in your own direction, if your heart tells you that it's
the right way for you.

Always believe that you will ultimately succeed at whatever you do,
and never forget the value of persistence, discipline and determination.
You are meant to be whatever you dream of being.

Author Unknown

THE LITTLE LOAF

Refusing to grab for all you can is a virtue. Sometimes it's a virtue that even brings a reward.

This story comes from a Civil War-era school reader.

Many years ago, there was a great famine in Germany and the poor people suffered from hunger.
A rich man, who loved children, sent for twenty of them and said, "In this basket, there is a loaf of bread for each of you.
Take it and come back again every day 'til the famine is over. I will give you a loaf each day."

The children were hungry. They seized the basket and struggled to get at the largest loaf.
They even forgot to thank the man who had been kind to them.
After a few minutes of quarrelling, one little girl, named Gretchen, stood alone at a little distance from the gentleman.
Then, smiling, she took up the last loaf, the smallest of all and thanked him with all her heart.

Next day, the children came again and behaved as badly as ever.
Gretchen, who would not push with the rest, received only a tiny loaf again.
But, when she came home her mother began to cut the loaf and out dropped six shining coins of silver.

"Oh, Gretchen!" exclaimed her mother, "this must be a mistake. The money does not belong to us.
Run as quickly as you can and take it back to the gentlemen."

So, Gretchen carried the money back. But, when she gave the gentleman her mother's message, he said,
"No, no, it was not a mistake. I had the silver baked into the smallest loaf in order to reward you.

Remember that the person who is contented to have a small loaf rather than quarrel for a larger one
will find blessings that are better than money baked in bread."

Outside my window, a new day I see
and only I can determine
what kind of day it will be.

It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay,
or boring and cold, unhappy and grey.

My own state of mind, is the determining key,
for I am only the person I let myself be.

I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help,
or be selfish and think just of myself.

I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun,
or gripe and complain and make it
hard on someone.

I can be patient with those who may
not understand, or belittle and hurt them
as much as I can.

But I have faith in myself, and believe what I say,
and I personally intend to make
the most of each day.

High above a mountain top, Beneath a clear blue sky,

I sit and think about my life And watch the birds fly by.

I gaze around in wonder, At the beauty of the earth,

How I'm blessed to be here ... So grateful for my birth.

I think about my struggles, When life was going wrong.

But then, I thank my God, He made me big and strong.

I thank Him for the blessings, He's bestowed along the way,

And thank Him for the love He's shown me, each new day.

As I bask in His protection, I do my best to spread His Word.

And if I touch one other soul, I know His voice was heard.

© by Marian Jones

"Humble Beginnings"

When we are born we come into this life totally depending

on someone else for our care.

When we let out a cry be it for a stomach ache, or a hunger pain

We know our parents will be right there.

Depending on them, as we reach for their hands when

we learn to walk

They are humbled again as we begin to talk.

That's the way it is when we ask Jesus into

our hearts and learn to depend upon Him.

We reach out and humble ourselves before Him with a big grin

He is right beside us leading the way

Always right there even through the sunshine or clouds of gray.

We meet obstacles and try to solve them ourselves

Humble beginnings start when we give them to him like little elves.

The kindest beginning comes when we give up the old

and welcome the new

With Jesus nurturing us we learn to be humble

because we know He will see us through

Through the happy times and the sad

Even when we are lonely or when we've been bad.

Asking for His forgiveness is humbling indeed

He is the one who died for us and planted the seed.

Jesus will be there to mend our hearts and save our souls

With a new beginning He has made us whole.

Written By Nancy Hoback 2003

A Beautiful Day

Would you like for this day to be a beautiful day? There is so much you can do to make it so.

Instead of being obsessed with getting your way, focus on giving your best.
That is what will bring real value to both you and your world.

When you feel the need to prove that you are right, stop and redirect the energy of that feeling.
Put it into expressing your authentic purpose in a sincere and positive way.

Realize that there are many things that annoy and frustrate you only because you allow them to do so.
You can just as easily choose to not let them get to you, and put your time to more productive use.

What would you do today if you did not have to be concerned about getting your way?
What would you do today if you didn't need to worry about what others were thinking of you?

Now is the only time you'll have the opportunity to experience this day.
With your attitude and your actions, choose to make it a beautiful and valuable experience.

-- Ralph Marston --

The Greatest Success of All

If you give a part of yourself to life,
the part you receive back will be so much greater.
Never regret the past, but learn from it.
Never lose sight of your dreams;
a person who can dream will always have hope.
Believe in yourself;
if you do, everyone else will.
You have the ability to accomplish anything,
but never do it at someone else's expense.
If you can go through life loving others,
you will have achieved the greatest success of all.

Definition of a Successful Life

To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.

My prayer for you is a dream
big enough to capture your heart,
bright enough to illuminate your mind
and deep enough to satisfy your spirit
May you find the strength to pursue it
and be enriched by it across the years.

*** January 2007 ***

Thoughts to Ponder

A Holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said,
"Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like."
The Lord led the Holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the Holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew
which smelled delicious and made the Holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished.
They were holding-spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible
to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms,
they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The Holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.
There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the Holy man's mouth water.
The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people
were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The Holy man said, "I don't understand."
" It is simple" said the Lord, "it requires but one skill.
You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves."