Einstein looks like he is praying in this pic. Great photo.
Quote of the Day for May 26th 2012, “The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man.” by G.K. Chesterton
Isn’t this a fascinating quote?
There is so much truth to this, and it is amazing to me that people can deny it. Even Einstein considered himself to be a person who reveled in the Creation of a universe beyond the measure of man: “I want to know how God created the world. I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts, the rest are details.”
This Unlocked Treasures of the Heart logo was drawn by our friend Jamie. R.I.P.
Hello boys and girls,
Please take a hard look at me and my dad’s Kickstarter Project, called “Unlocked Treasures of the Heart“. This is a project that has been 40 years in the making as it seeks to turn my dad’s life’s work of Christian songs, ballads, poems, StorySongs and writings into a published literary work. To get to that book form, we need your help.
We still have a whopping 20 days left for our Kickstarter Campaign, but we need your support! Please take a look at the project and read the sample songs we have provided, these are full pieces or partials, which give you a strong example of what will be included in the final book. If you like what you see, please Like the Unlocked Treasures of the Heart Project Page, and consider Backing it with whatever you can afford, even if it is only $1! We’d greatly, greatly appreciate it!
Of course, the most important thing you can do is tell your friends or people you think might be interested! Also tweet it to help us spread the word to the wide world, and post it on your Facebook wall, encouraging others to check it out!
Farewell and Godspeed!
Here is an unused video that was originally going to be our pitch for the Unlocked Treasures Kickstarter Project! It’ll give you a lot more insight into what to expect from the project, as told by MyDad himself.
…. Awesome tag cloud artwork made up of many words in the cloud taken from Philippians 2 from the Holy Bible’s New Testament!
Never forget that it is Christ within us that makes us strong enough to handle anything that comes our way,
The Holy Bible, New Testament – Philippians 2:1
“Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another.”
Always remember the Fruits of the Spirit that come along with knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, for they are what allow us to carry our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and reach out to those whom life has bruised, battered and broken. Giving us the power to affect the world around us in profound ways for the better.
And through all the hardships that the world brings, we always have comfort in our Lord… Comfort that surpasses all human understanding. Fellowship with our Maker that births within us Kindness and Compassion… as only God can give.
Faith in Jesus Christ is the bridge that leads lost souls of people to God.
Welcome to the first installment of Bible Teaching of the Day. May this uplift and encourage you. :)
Hebrews 11:1 – Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is a word that can be easily lost in the day-to-day life of a believer. It’s a reliance and complete trust in God. A confidence in Jesus Christ that He is more than enough and greater than any need we could possibly have.
This faith of ours is constantly being tested and, in-a-sense, constantly under attack. Peter writes in his first letter, “Beloved, do not be surprised at all at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at revelation of His glory you may rejoice in exultation.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
Faith comes from the heart. This faith is given when one becomes a believer in God,
To quote from Romans Chapter 10, Verses 8-10 from the Holy Bible’s New Testament,
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and your heart’- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Him (Jesus Christ) from the dead, you will be saved;
For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in Salvation.”
In life it’s quite easy to let the cares of the world get you down, but in those times God wants us to do the exact opposite… trust in Him and rejoice. To learn from Him, Jesus tells us that He will take a portion of our burden and walk side by side with the believer.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Say hello with a smile, and goodbye with a smile. Even if that smile is undeserved.
This Quote of the Day is a really encouraging one, thanks to Jeremy Dunn (hey! That rhymes!),
“If someone is a jerk to you today, react as if they need your kindness more than you need their courtesy.”
This quote really says it is all, and this is the way that people should react when being confronted with a mean spirit or smart alec attitude. Instead of letting it piss you off, ruin your day, make you sad, make you angry, or make you depressed; think of it like this. “Wow, this person really could use some kindness to soften up that heart of theirs.”
…. Treat others how you wish to be treated. Love your enemies, hate no one. Pray for those who persecute you. Respect one another as Jesus Commanded.
Then be nice back to them even though they don’t deserve it and didn’t ask for it. Likely they will be very surprised by your reaction. If anything, it will keep YOUR mood intact and cause you to continue on your merry way despite the road block that was just placed in your way to make you stumble! It also makes the devil, very, VERY pissed. ;)
Remember these wise words of Jesus Christ from the Holy Bible:
New Testament, Ephesians Chapter 4 Verse 32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
New Testament, 1st John Chapter 4, Verses 20-21
“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this Commandment we have from Jesus: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
Old Testament, Proverbs Chapter 24, Verse 17
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.”
New Testament, The Gospel of Luke. Chapter 6, Verse 31
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
Now listen to this song called “Indwelling Sin” by Christian rapper LeCrae to see what the battle between faith and death (sin) is all about. From LeCrae’s album “Rebel”.
“You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.” – Gandhi
This is a powerful quote because it reveals the strength of the human spirit even during the most intense times of despair. Additionally, it reveals the fact that our thoughts and our human spirit are intangibles… no one can take them away from us but by death, and no one but God knows what is truly going on inside of someone’s mind.
Isn’t that infinitely interesting to think about?
Here is a very interesting, actual video of Gandhi actually speaking on video!
Additionally, here is an audio speech given by him; regarding God and Gandhi’s concept of God.
Despite what trials and tribulations befall us, we have victory through the truth of Christ and His redemption.
This is an often-quoted, highly cited Bible Verse from the New Testament. And with good reason. It is a simple, yet powerful, verse.
John 8:32
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
Quite simply, knowledge of the truth of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, sets you free of the chains and bondage of the world and those who are in the dark to the reality of God and the Truth of Jesus Christ and His message.
Those who know this truth, and have accepted it, will be free in the knowledge and wisdom it brings. And will find comfort within the midst of chaos, because they know their Redeemer Lives.
Thanks to Vincent James of Flickr dot com for this great photo of Psalm 30:5
The Bible, Old Testament Book of Psalms, Chapter 30 verse 5, is an beautiful, succint, uplifting quote that should serve as a rock for life.
Psalm 30:5 AMP
“For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
The latter part of the verse, “Joy comes in the morning”, is a well known saying, and tells us that no matter how difficult times are, no matter what is going on in our lives to build hardship, anger, bitterness, etc. in us… it will all dissipate if you can only shift your perspective to see the next day, the morning, as a fresh start.
But what is even more interesting in my eyes is the little-quoted first section of the verse. It says, in no uncertain terms, that knowing God and living a life dedicated to Jesus Christ puts us in God’s favor FOREVER. I always say that God does not unsave anyone… in fact the Bible says the opposite, it says God will leave His entire flock of sheep to save that one who has gone astray. Once you are God’s child, you are always God’s child, and your favor with Him is eternal, unconditional, and everlasting. No matter what you do, God loves you. He loved you so much He died for you… even before you knew Him. For your righteousness is as of dirty rags to God… it is nothing YOU do that makes you favorable to God. For God gives His salvation freely thus none can boast. Yet by accepting His free gift, you become one of His children, and entitled to all the riches and glory in Christ that He provides. It is a gift, and a sacrifice, worth rejoicing over. So when joy comes in the morning, be glad. For God is with you. And never shall He depart.
Want a Bible verse of infinite wisdom? Here is a good one:
“Hatred Stirs Up Dissension, But Love Covers Over All Wrongs.” – Proverbs 10:12
Remember that love is the most powerful Commandment, it is literally the commandment for which all other Commandments lean on. Without love, you are nothing. And without love, God cannot, and will not, use you. Love is powerful, and all problems ultimately, can be solved by love.
The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing... In the good times and the bad, thank the Lord your God. :)
“God is concerned more with our ultimate maturity than He is with our present comfort.” – Joyce Meyers
Many times in life a certain situation seems unbearable. It feels like God does not care or does not want you to be happy in your life. This is the type of attitude that a lot of people have towards situations and events in their lives, particularly when they feel negative towards said event and cannot see outside of the hole.
Just remember, everything in life is ultimately teaching you a lesson, and working towards building your life experience and maturing you into the person you will become. You cannot grow and mature, if you stay stagnant and don’t face challenges, trials, tribulations and sometimes even harrowing, dangerous, sad, or tragic events.
Case in point, the late Andy Rooney of CBS’ 60 Minutes (who died in December of 2011 at age 93), during one of his final segments, reflected on being drafted during World War II. At that time, Andy was ripped out of his current easy life of persuing higher education and chasing his dreams, and was instead dropped into a warzone and forced to wear an American uniform and defend his country and the world against the threat of Nazi Germany and Hitler. At the time, Andy Rooney felt that his life may just be over. Would he even get out alive?
Many an American hero has felt these same feelings during wartime as United States soldiers and military-men, or even Fire Fighters or Police Officers, who are simply doing their duty. 70 years later, Andy Rooney reflected on how much that moment and event of his young life taught him. How much going to war matured him, and he said it was the pride of his life. That event made him into the force of nature that he would become; and it was only possible because he was forced to go to war. Upon reflection, Andy says that being in uniform taught him skills, abilities, determination and self-reliance that he never would have learned in a college setting. Sitting in a classroom does not, cannot and will never prepare a person for the rigors and the trenches of real life outside your four walls.
As they say, there is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path. A great difference.
God knows all, and God knows what will happen at the other side of the tunnel, whose light is not yet seen by the one who has just entered said tunnel. While the death of a loved one, for example, can seem like the end of the world. It may just be the beginning… of an all-new perspective and an all-new love and zeal for life. At least it will for the ones who understand that these moments teach and mature us, no matter how horrible they are to live through.
Life after all, is all about perspective. And in the end, in God’s eyes, maturity supersedes comfort. Words to life by!
