
Even the upper end of the river believes in the ocean.
The greatest ownership of all is to glance around and understand.
William Stafford (1914-1993) was an American poet.

Even the upper end of the river believes in the ocean.
The greatest ownership of all is to glance around and understand.
William Stafford (1914-1993) was an American poet.

You only have one life. You have to spend it doing something that matters.
Because being the right person isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being able to handle whatever life throws at you.
Michael Massimino (born 1962) is a former American astronaut, and is currently a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University. His experience with space travel includes two space shuttle flights in 2002 and 2009.

It’s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.
Only a mediocre person is always at his best.
W. (William) Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a French-born English writer. His writings published quite an impressive collection of short stories, novels, and plays.
From Psalm 118:1: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!”

Giving thanks, praising Father
His enduring, steadfast love
Faith today, hope tomorrow
Embracing grace from above
Kneeling in daily prayer
Father listens with patience
Faith today, hope tomorrow
Transforming our impatience
Taking refuge with Father
His righteousness leads forthwith
Faith today, hope tomorrow
Overcoming evil’s myth
Surrounding witness of light
Father blazes road ahead
Faith today, hope tomorrow
Nourishing with daily bread
Grasping wisdom of Father
Skies no longer full of gray
Faith today, hope tomorrow
Directing our best, His way

From Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”

Chained without freedom’s hope
Slaves to enemy’s grip
Bound in his deception
Lost in darkness, faith’s flagship
God sows fresh seeds of hope
Promised redemption’s road
Light upon wilderness
Blessed revelation’s code
Prayer seeks divine hope
Messenger prepares way
Foretold in prophet’s words
Endless night searches for day
God’s narrative shares hope
His Word shall become flesh
Faith’s promises fulfilled
Harvest’s righteous grain to thresh
New birth of living hope
Forgiveness leads outcome
Salvation shall rescue
Waiting for who is to come

Advent Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son. Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas: hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.
One of Advent’s most enduring hymns is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The original text was composed in Latin during the 12th century. In 1861, English priest and scholar John Mason Neale translated the lyrics into what many Christians recognize and sing today.

The word Advent means “expectation.” What Advent can do for us is create a sense of hope.
From Luke 3:4: “As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.'”
Louie Giglio (born 1958) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Excellence is not an act, but a habit.
A person cannot all of a sudden become good at what they do just by switching streams.
Marva Collins (1936-2015) was an American educator.

The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail. Let’s make a long-term commitment to quality control. Let’s move out of the thick ranks of the mediocre and join the thin ranks of excellence.
From Ecclesiastes 3:22: “So I saw that there is nothing better than that all should enjoy their work, for that is their lot; who can bring them to see what will be after them?”

We must never forget that God’s nature is uncompromisingly set against sin. We may tolerate it; He never.
From Psalm 2:5-6: “Then He will speak to them in His wrath and terrify them in His fury, saying, ‘I have set My king on Zion, My holy hill.'”
Selwyn Hughes (1928-2006) was a Welsh-born Christian minister and author. One of his best known works was the daily devotional EVERY DAY WITH JESUS.

Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm, and harmony.
There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something tomorrow.
Orison Sweet Marden (1848-1924) was an American writer who shared words of inspiration and encouragement so that others could achieve success.