Iyanla Vanzant Quotes

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The only way to get what you really want is to let go of what you don’t want.

Your willingness to look at your darkness is what empowers you to change.

Iyanla Vanzant (born 1953) is an American inspirational speaker, author, and television personality.

E. Stanley Jones Quote

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Whatever we focus on determines what we become.

From Proverbs 4:25:  “Let your eyes look directly forward and your gaze be straight before you.”

Eli Stanley Jones (1884-1973) was an American Christian missionary, theologian, and author.  Most of his missionary work took place in India where he became a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi.  His biography about Gandhi’s life proved to be quite influential with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Journey Forward (Haiku Series #212)

Following

Wishes spring from dreams

Benevolent actions serve—

Destiny calling

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Listening

Walking endless miles

Faithful boots always ready—

Echoing wisdom

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Loving

Joining together

Solving life’s cherished puzzle—

Heart’s bits and pieces

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Beverly Sills Quotes

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There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.

Beverly Sills (1929-2007) was an American operatic star with few equals during her performances from the 1950s into the 1970s.  

Billy Collins Quotes

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While the novelist is banging on his typewriter, the poet is watching a fly in the windowpane.

The trouble with poetry is that it encourages the writing of more poetry.

Billy Collins (born 1941) is an American poet who served as America’s Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2003.  He has published several collections of his poetry.

William Stanley Merwin Quotes

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What you remember saves you.

We are asleep with compasses in our hands.

William Stanley Merwin (W. S.) was an American poet with over 50 books of poetry and prose.  Over his lifetime (1927-2019), he was honored with numerous awards:  including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1971 and 2009) and becoming United States Poet Laureate in 2010.  

Monday Memories: God’s Team

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Jesus gathers up His apostles from humble ground

Making up God’s team, their witness shall abound

 

God’s Word oversees the performance of this team

Standing as chief executive, seeing holiest theme

 

The Holy Spirit earmarks the hearts and brains

Serving as the binding glue, better than chains

 

Returning to the beginning of God’s creative time

Transforming a land, His Word continues to climb

 

The Creator conceives of a perfect place for man

Placing Adam and Eve in Eden, always His plan

 

But, Adam and Eve journey on a sin-filled path

Leaving the ample garden, under God’s wrath

 

From this moment, God’s team stumbles and wanders

Facing estrangement from God, His people squander

 

Jesus comes to bridge what separates us from God

Sitting at the right hand, coaching a humbled squad

 

God establishes His expectations, perfectly high

Faltering and imperfect mortals, will never satisfy

 

The team continues to collapse over and over again

Forgetting God’s Commandments, sin seems to win

 

Many teams measure success by the flashy show

Works by themselves, will never add much glow

 

But, Jesus shepherds His team on a brand new track

Following by faith alone, Jesus always has their back

 

He reminds us to always love our God in Heaven’s seat

Loving each other as you have loved Me, always repeat

 

A bloody, criminal’s Cross summons all to take a knee

Accepting Jesus as Savior, teammates look up to see

 

Our Father orchestrates, with infinite patience and love

Creating and molding, the Great I Am looks from above

 

Jesus remains alert at the Creator’s side

Carrying keys to eternal life, all bona fide

 

As team members, we must trust, follow, and abide

Playing for Jesus, His coaching is forever our guide

 

 

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Originally published January, 2020.

Matt Haig Quotes

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Between life and death, there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever.

Regrets don’t leave.  They weren’t mosquito bites.  They itch forever.

Matt Haig (born 1975) is an English writer and journalist.  Much of his writing focuses on novels with fictional themes for adults as well as children stories.

Mary Roach Quotes

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A bright light at the end of a tunnel can seem warm and inviting, or it can seem mysterious and terrifying.

All good research–whether for science or for a book–is a form of obsession.

Mary Roach (born 1959) is an American author who specializes in writing with themes about science and humor.