Frank Herbert Quotes

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Seek freedom and become captive to your desires.  Seek discipline and find your liberty.

It is impossible to live in the past, difficult to live in the present, and a waste to live in the future.

American author Frank Herbert (1920-1986) was best known for his science fiction writing.  His novel DUNE (1965) and its sequels brought him wide acclaim.  

Andy Bernard Quotes

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I’m always thinking one step ahead.  Like a carpenter that makes stairs.

I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.

Andy Bernard is a character from the American comedy television series “The Office.”  Actor Ed Helms (born 1974) plays the role of Andy.

Rod McKuen Quotes

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The journey back is always longer than the forward run. I’m not the first or the last who had a thirst to leave the past.

American Rod McKuen (1933-2015) was a distinguished poet, songwriter, and actor.  During the late 1960s, his poetry was some of the most sought after.  

Charles Stanley Quote

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To be a peacemaker is to reflect the image of our heavenly Father–using our breath, energy, and creativity to sow peace wherever the Spirit takes us.

From Matthew 5:9:  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Washington Irving Quotes

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A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion.

Surely happiness is reflective, like the light of heaven.

American Washington Irving (1783-1859) ranks as one of his country’s most renowned authors.  His amazing short stories of “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleeping Hollow” remain all-time classics.  Ironically, his final resting place is at the Sleeping Hollow Cemetery in New York state.

Monday Memories: Perfection

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Perfection Defined:

The condition of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects.

 

Striving for absolute perfection proves to be elusive

Life provides few examples that are always conclusive

 

Perfection in bowling

Rolling 12 strikes in a row

 

Perfect school attendance

No absences during an entire school year

 

Perfect gymnastics performance

Scoring an “improbable” 10.0

 

Perfect school exam score

All questions answered correctly

 

Perfect completion of a crossword puzzle

Every square correctly filled in

 

Perfect game in baseball

Pitcher retires all batters—no one reaches first base

 

Perfect grades in school

All A’s . . .  4.0 GPA

 

Standards have been made to measure perfection

Challenging all to achieve for greater satisfaction

 

Individual actions and results to be told

Defining a level of perfection to behold

 

A “perfect” vacation

What makes it the best ever?

 

A “perfect” photograph

What makes this image so brilliant?

 

A “perfect” job

What provides the greatest satisfaction at work?

 

A “perfect” health report

What makes these results outstanding?

 

A “perfect” marriage

What moments are forever beautiful?

 

Subjective perfection is short-lived for a good reason

Definitions and expectations change with each season

 

When we think that our best efforts fall short

Allow Christ to bring us back to our home port

 

His unblemished life is perfection for sure

We follow His example for lives more pure

 

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Baseball Greats Quotes

Satchel Paige (1906-1982)

Don’t look back.  Something might be gaining on you.

Ted Williams (1918-2002)

No one has come up with a substitute for hard work.

Pitcher Satchel Paige played most of his years of baseball before the Major Leagues were opened up to play for African-Americans.  Despite this, he was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1971.

Left fielder Ted Williams played his entire Major League career with the Boston Red Sox.  In 1941, he hit .406 (the person to hit at least .400).  The Hall-of-Famer’s statistics are even more incredible when one realizes that he served in the military during both World War II and the Korean War as an aviator.  

River of Life

From Psalm 92:12-15:  “The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.  In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

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River of life, unceasing in its travels

Mysteries of life, shall ever unravel

 

From heavenly source, cascades living water

Shaping clay, molded by Creation’s potter

 

When ultimate challenges travel too high

Overcoming all odds, courage one’s ally

 

Life’s purpose, taking self far from safety’s home

Discovering meaning, hidden catacombs

 

Fate knocking, invisible hand clearly seen

Traveling waters, transparent with routine

 

Years continue to advance, filled with Lord’s grace

Breathing enduring joy, from life’s timeless chase

 

Life’s sunset glimmers, over cloudless skyline

Looking back, years richer than any gold mine

 

Mysteries of life, eternally fulfilled

River of life, journey which only God builds

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “Our bodies may age, but we get old only if we choose to do so–attitude is what makes the difference.”

Winter’s Repose

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Winter’s white blanket covers frozen land

Sheltering nature’s glory until spring

Arctic-fed winds seem to blow from glaciers

Sleeping quietly, life conceals its zing

 

Northernmost Great Lakes transform skies to gray

Flying above, geese enjoy winter’s fling

Small ponds reflect from thick, icy mirrors

Pausing all around, boldness waits for spring

 

Ancient trees appear to wait in repose

Ignoring life’s deep freeze, buds holding out

Nature’s winter rest, preparing for spring

Arriving tonight, snowstorm’s final shout

 

Never to worry, winter fades away

Coming on schedule, spring colors each day

 

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Lonely Heart

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Alone and isolated

Empty calendar pages

Absent family and friends

Life walking in Dark Ages

 

Hour’s darkest shadows lengthen

Day’s hope missteps and stumbles

Sudden tears, any moment

Faith now tumbles, then crumbles

 

Day awakens, same old drill

Memories fade, bit by bit

Miles from nowhere, so alone

Silence fills heart, not close-knit

 

Few good days dwarfed by bad ones

Sunny smiles becoming few

Lonely heart needs titan’s lift

Shining light makes its breakthrough

 

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Make it a point today to reach out to someone who could use a warm hug, a trusting smile, or a kind word.  Lonely hearts fill many people with emptiness; share your light.