If you are going down a road and don’t like what’s in front of you, and look behind you and don’t like what you see, get off the road. Create a new path!
If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.
Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was an American author, poet, and civil rights activist. Her body of published work is found in autobiographies, essays, poems, and numerous credits in plays, movies, and television shows.
From Psalm 111:1: “Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.”
Pessimistic and gloomy attitude
One negative brick follows another
Suffocating and negative self-talk
Sounding more like Eeyore’s little brother
Time for transforming callous attitude
With praise and thanksgiving, eyes upon God
His Grace offering truest Bread of Life
Believe, follow, accept His blessed rod
Breathing in our Lord’s trusted, living Word
Dropping negativity’s jagged sword
Accepting our Father’s mercy and love
Trading bitterness for His sweet accord
Learning from God’s Holy teachings and creeds
Feeling His just and faithful, love-filled works
Listening to each breath, His spoken Word
Maturing in faith’s righteous masterworks
Embracing God’s eternal covenant
Studying His Word, bearing full delight
Celebrating Him with salutations
Singing with attitude of praise, now right
From Psalm 111:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.”
Originally published February, 2021.
The point of life was to press on, to do the best you can, to make the world a better place.
Fix your eyes forward on what you can do, not back on what you cannot change.
Tom Clancy (1947-2013) was an American author who pioneered the techno-thriller genre.
River’s dynamics
Blessing waters’ source
Mountain’s melting snow
Staying true to its course
River’s known outcome
Flowing every day
Never in hurry
Charting eternal way
River’s attitude
Praising every land
Nature in balance
Holding Creator’s hand
River’s calming thoughts
Singing to mankind
Tranquility’s voice
Leading as He designed
River’s steady course
Observing mankind
Hurried, with missteps
Falling further behind
American baseball legend, George Herman “Babe” Ruth, had a simple philosophy as a hitter: “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” In his major league career, he endured many, many strikeouts, but he also hit record numbers of home runs.
Journey’s imperfections
Discovering each day
Simple philosophy
Always swinging away
Freedom to meet failure
Swinging again with might
Confidence maturing
Baseball rises in flight
Pathway toward success
Achieving one more dream
Every strikeout teaches
Lessons ride each sunbeam
Vision’s bright tomorrow
Learning from yesterday
New challenges arrive
Inning’s next double play
Courage stepping out front
Embracing today’s game
Fearless in attitude
Humbleness blends with fame
Character, not circumstances, makes the man.
Those who have accomplished the greatest results are those who never grow excited or lose self-control, but are always calm, self-possessed, patient, and polite.
Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) was an American educator, author, and orator. He was the founder of Tuskegee University (originally named Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute) in the state of Alabama.
All genuine education comes about through experience.
Hunger not to have, but to be.
John Dewey (1859-1952) was an American philosopher and educational reformer. A native of Vermont, he was born in Burlington.
The reception of the Holy Spirit is the maintained attitude of the believer. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive quickening life from the ascended Lord.
From Luke 24:49: “And see, I am sending upon you what My Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Gratitude is the least remembered of all virtues but is the acid test of character.
We choose our attitudes. When we let little things annoy us, we even choose to be grumpy.
Elmer L. Towns (born 1932) is an American pastor and Christian writer. Along with Jerry Falwell, he co-founded Liberty University in 1971.
Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.
My secret is that there are no shortcuts for hard work, determination, and having that “don’t give up attitude.”
Jerry Rice (born 1962) is an American Hall of Fame professional football player. He played 20 seasons in the NFL, where he won three Super Bowls as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. His penchant for spending extra time on the practice field was one of the keys to his success.
Big Sky Buckeye 